Gezicht op Bonn en de Rijn c. 1881 - 1891

This is an anonymous photograph of Bonn and the Rhine, and we can immediately see the relationship between the artwork and the modes of production, for example, the camera itself. Photography was a relatively new technology that allowed for the mass production of images, and it was quickly adopted by artists and entrepreneurs alike. The photograph is a black and white image, and its materiality influences its appearance: grainy, and of course, lacking in color. Photography, in its infancy, was closely tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The amount of work involved in the production process was significant, as each photograph had to be carefully developed and printed. In some ways, photography democratized image-making, offering an alternative to painting and sculpture. I hope you see the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the photograph, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.