Oversteek via het Suezkanaal Possibly 1947 - 1948

This is a page from an anonymous photograph album, featuring images relating to the Suez Canal. The pictures are gelatin silver prints, a photographic process that rose to prominence in the late 19th century. It involves coating paper with a layer of light-sensitive silver halide crystals, creating a smooth surface that captures fine details. The appeal of gelatin silver prints lay in their relatively straightforward creation and ability to produce sharp, high-contrast images. This album page is a fascinating example of vernacular photography. The photographer was likely an amateur, capturing scenes from their own life. This seemingly simple album page can be seen as a document of global trade, and the human experience within the context of monumental engineering projects. The Suez Canal, completed in 1869, dramatically shortened trade routes between Europe and Asia, symbolizing the growing interconnectedness of the world. By appreciating the materiality and context of this photograph album, we can move beyond traditional art historical categories. This album page provides a glimpse into the world of labor, politics, and consumption, revealing the social significance embedded in the everyday image.