Rokin in Amsterdam 1904

Curator: Here we have "Rokin in Amsterdam," a gelatin silver print from 1904 by James Higson. What's your initial impression? Editor: It's incredibly still. The way the water reflects those canal houses creates a doubling effect. There is something timeless about this. Curator: Higson was part of the Pictorialist movement, aiming to elevate photography to the status of art. One way of doing this was often emphasizing soft focus and manipulating the printing process to give the image an atmospheric or painterly feel. You can see those techniques here. Editor: The water itself almost acts as a mirror reflecting the weight and importance of commerce and trade represented by the tall, imposing buildings along the canal. What were people thinking of the city at this time? Curator: Early 20th century Amsterdam was a vibrant hub undergoing significant social and economic changes. Photography like this played a part in shaping and selling the city’s self image. Editor: Look how that little boat looms forward in the frame; it makes me feel small! Were boats as central to identity as the architecture? I wonder what it would have been like to have that close of a relationship with one. Curator: Absolutely. Waterways were crucial for transportation and trade, shaping both the economy and the spatial layout of the city. Higson chooses this boat as a vehicle through which to look back at these themes. It anchors the perspective while it subtly pushes back to make room for modernity in the rising metropolis. Editor: There is a push and pull of dark and light—I can almost smell the moisture rising from the water in this shot. Curator: Higson presents an idyllic version of the city but in some ways romanticized realities allowed industrialism and burgeoning capitalist enterprises to flourish. These notions live side by side with what can easily be seen as “quaint”. Editor: Looking at "Rokin in Amsterdam" now, it's fascinating to see how Higson used photography not just to document but to actively shape the perception of a city at a pivotal point in its history. Curator: Indeed, the symbolism imbued in these photographs offers more than just a view, it invites us to reflect on the stories cities tell about themselves.