Gezicht op de kapel van een kerk in Waltham, Massachusetts before 1879

Curator: This image is by Thomas R. Lewis, "Gezicht op de kapel van een kerk in Waltham, Massachusetts," which translates to "View of the chapel of a church in Waltham, Massachusetts." It's dated before 1879 and presented as an albumen print, which was quite common in photography of that era. It's an interesting piece. Editor: Indeed! It's also part of an opened book displayed in the image. At first glance, the muted tones give it this kind of nostalgic, almost melancholic feeling. There is a soft focus on the architecture. It’s like stepping back in time. What story do you think this image is trying to tell? Curator: That's beautifully put, its sepia tones certainly evoke nostalgia. Notice the stillness and formality of the composition, very much in line with the academic-art style. But, is it merely a depiction, or is there perhaps a social commentary subtly woven into the urban landscape? How does the context of this being in a book shape your view of it? Editor: Good point! Considering it's within a book, the image now feels less like a standalone artwork and more like documentation. I suppose it's meant to illustrate a historical narrative, offering a glimpse into a specific time and place. So it seems as though it might be functioning as a piece of evidence? Curator: Exactly. This changes things a bit. Instead of contemplating deep meaning, we begin thinking of history and recording something that was once in place and now might no longer exist. It makes you wonder about all the lost landmarks documented in such albums. Does that make the image more or less evocative for you? Editor: I think it enhances the evocative quality. Knowing that I am viewing a relic opens another dimension. So, it's about preservation and historical accounting! I never thought about prints as historical objects like this. Curator: Precisely! We often consider paintings as carrying historical information, but the ubiquity of early photography, sometimes dismissed, offered detailed insight of the period. A humbling reminder, isn’t it? Editor: Absolutely. Now, looking at this unassuming albumen print, I feel as if I understand this photo just a bit more and I will definitely think twice before turning the page!