Bosschage met op de achtergrond de Alpen c. 1860 - 1880

Editor: This albumen print by Achille Quinet, dating back to the late 19th century, captures a 'Bosschage met op de achtergrond de Alpen', or thicket with the Alps in the background. The monochromatic palette lends a sense of timelessness to the rugged landscape. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Looking at the albumen print, I'm drawn to the specific choice of process. Albumen printing, popular in the mid-19th century, used egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper. It allowed for sharper images with a wider tonal range, but also involved intensive labor, from preparing the paper to the long exposure times. How does that affect your understanding of the work, considering it depicts a natural, almost untouched scene? Editor: I suppose the romantic depiction of nature stands in stark contrast with the technical effort required to create it. Were these photographs widely available? Curator: Indeed, these prints became relatively accessible due to advancements in mass production. The rise of photography coincided with industrial growth, blurring the lines between art and commodity. This image then is not just a depiction of a landscape, but a record of the social and economic landscape in which it was created, revealing consumerism’s impact on artistic mediums. Does that give you another perspective? Editor: Absolutely, it makes me think about who the image was made for, and the societal impact. I learned a lot about how materials can change the meaning. Curator: Likewise, reflecting on the means of production alongside the subject matter offers valuable insights into both the art and its time.