Gezicht op een rijstveld before 1897

This photograph, titled "Gezicht op een rijstveld" (View of a Rice Field), was captured by Christiaan Johan Neeb. Though the date is unknown, the photographic process itself speaks volumes about the era in which it was made. Consider the labor involved in cultivating a rice field, which becomes starkly evident through the lens of Neeb's camera. The photograph immortalizes the tireless work of countless individuals, their bent backs and sun-drenched skin, all contributing to a system of labor. The final print is the result of many human endeavors, a testament to the social and economic landscape of its time. By focusing on the material reality of the photograph and the labor it represents, we begin to challenge the notion of art as separate from the realities of everyday life. This is not just a picture; it's a document of work, sustenance, and the intricate relationship between people and the land.