Zwemmende jongens, Genève before 1882

This photograph, "Swimming Boys, Geneva," was captured by Albert Lugardon, though the specific date remains unknown. It's a fascinating image that offers a glimpse into the social life of Geneva during the late 19th century. Lugardon’s work presents a public bathing space on the River Rhone, filled with boys enjoying the water. In that time period, access to such facilities was often shaped by social class and gender, as separate bathing areas were created, reflecting social norms of the time. The photograph itself is a product of evolving technologies, as new methods of photographic reproduction became increasingly common in illustrated books and journals, allowing for wider distribution of images and ideas. To fully understand this photograph, we might consult local archives, historical accounts of Geneva, or studies of the development of photography as a medium. The meaning of Lugardon’s work is always contingent on social and institutional contexts.