Kloof in de Gorges du Lot 1903

This photograph, ‘Kloof in de Gorges du Lot’ by Delizy, presents a landscape rendered through the lens of a camera. The image, likely a silver gelatin print, captures a river flowing through a steep gorge. The materiality of photography lies in its unique interplay between light, chemistry, and mechanics. The process begins with the photographer selecting a viewpoint, framing a composition, and manipulating the camera's settings to control exposure. The act of photographing, and developing, is technical, but it is also an intentional act of framing the world. This raises questions about how landscapes were commodified and consumed in the 19th century. The image may appear to be purely representational, but we must also consider the labor and technical expertise required to produce it. This is a far cry from painting, but closer to industrial processes of design and manufacturing.