Boog van Campanus in Aix-les-Bains 1903

This albumen print captures the Boog van Campanus in Aix-les-Bains. It was made by Delizy, using a process that was at the forefront of photographic technology in its time. What strikes me most is the contrast between the natural and the constructed. The albumen process itself is materially complex. It begins with coating paper with egg white, then sensitizing it with silver nitrate. This technique allowed for a high level of detail, as we can see in the textures of the ancient stone, the surrounding trees, and even the figures strolling nearby. The image-making process involved a delicate balance of chemical reactions and skilled labor. Photography in the 19th century was as much about science and industry as it was about art, involving precise techniques. The artist, Delizy, skillfully harnesses this technology, giving permanence to a moment in time and a monument of lasting cultural significance. This photograph underscores how deeply intertwined art, technology, and culture have become.