J.B. Aug. Kessler leunend op zijn fiets, met zijn zoon before 1900

This photograph by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler, preserved at the Rijksmuseum, captures J.B. Aug. Kessler with his son. Looking closely, the photographic process itself becomes fascinating. The tones, achieved through darkroom chemistry, give the scene a soft, almost dreamlike quality. The sharpness of the image, versus the slight blur, speaks to the equipment of the time, and the deliberate choices Kessler made in capturing this moment. The materiality of the bicycle, with its metal frame and rubber tires, reflects the burgeoning industrial age and new possibilities for leisure, and offers a contrast to the natural setting of the tree, grounding the figures and providing texture. The bicycle is more than just a prop; it's a symbol of modernity and a key component in the social tableau. In considering photography alongside painting or sculpture, it's important to remember that every image, no matter how fleeting, is the product of intention and design. By exploring the materials and making of this photograph, we come to better appreciate the intersection of technology, artistry, and social context.