Portret van Henri Farman en Roger Sommer in een weiland before 1918

This photographic postcard depicts Henri Farman and Roger Sommer in a field, likely taken around August 1909, during the Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne. The photograph, made using early 20th-century photographic techniques, captures the texture of their clothing, from Farman's tailored suit to Sommer's cap, suggesting their social status and involvement in the burgeoning field of aviation. Note the stamp at the lower center, suggesting this was a commercially produced item intended for mass consumption. The stamp and inscription allude to the technological optimism of the era, with aviation becoming increasingly accessible. The image is a testament to how technological advancements were quickly incorporated into everyday life and popular culture. Consider how such photographs, mass-produced and circulated, democratized access to these figures and their achievements. These images circulated widely, demonstrating how early aviation was intertwined with popular culture and the rise of mass media.