Portret van Matthieu van Oosterzee op een driewielerfiets c. 1855 - 1860

This is a photograph by Albert Lüssow, portraying Matthieu van Oosterzee on a tricycle. Though we don’t know the exact date, the photographic print is a window into a fascinating moment, capturing an early mode of transportation, one which represents both industrial advancements and high social status. The tricycle itself is a marvel of fabrication, the metal components meticulously shaped and assembled. The spoked wheels, solid tires, and complex gearing bear witness to a skilled labor force, a testament to the burgeoning technologies of the industrial age. The photograph, in turn, made accessible images that were once reserved for the upper classes. However, the photograph also raises questions about labor and class. Consider the labor required to produce such a machine, the social implications of owning one, and the act of photographing it. This artwork embodies a pivotal moment where industrial production, social aspiration, and technological innovation intersect. It bridges the gap between fine art and everyday life, inviting us to reflect on the relationship between materials, making, and the broader context in which they exist.