Zittende vrouw met bananen 1900 - 1910

Eugen Klein made this photograph, Zittende vrouw met bananen, using photographic techniques that were emerging in the late 19th and early 20th century. The image shows a woman with a large bundle of bananas on her head, and another at her side, presumably for sale. The photograph, itself a reproducible medium, captures a moment of labor and commerce. The bananas are the key element, representing both sustenance and a commodity, and they have a powerful presence. This piece encourages us to consider the labor involved in the production and distribution of goods, and the economic structures that shape people's lives. Klein's photograph underscores the relationship between art, labor, and the global economy. It challenges traditional notions of what constitutes 'high art' by drawing attention to the everyday realities of work and trade. It reminds us that the value and meaning of objects are deeply intertwined with the social and economic contexts in which they are produced and consumed.