Boswachtershuis Georgshöhe 1868 - 1890

Curator: This image captures "Boswachtershuis Georgshöhe" by Hermann Selle, dating from between 1868 and 1890. The medium, as you can see, is photography. Editor: A strong, simple composition. The vertical thrust of that tower set against the low, horizontal spread of the rest of the building is quite striking. There's an almost unsettling directness to it. Curator: I think it's more complex. This piece sits right on the cusp of German Expressionism in photography, capturing both the aesthetic styles and documenting the socio-political changes. The late 19th century was a period of intense industrialization and urbanization in Germany. This photograph perhaps reveals a longing for an idealized past. Editor: True, but look at the careful placement of that imposing tower—almost aggressively vertical, stark against the relatively muted tones of the building itself. Note also the relationship of the building to the figures. Consider the framing. The texture. Those aspects tell a story regardless of context. Curator: While the formal elements create an unsettling image, it’s undeniable the photographer wanted to also document this historical moment through photography. It became a method of cataloging, even romanticizing a building that served its state and political figure. The way the figures are blurred by what must be a long exposure and what story this might also tell in relation to the historical documentation aspect? Editor: I understand the importance of placing it within its historical timeframe, but you cannot overlook how it exists as shapes and tonalities and values on a flat plane. Curator: Perhaps both viewpoints are relevant here, appreciating both the photograph's formal aspects and the image it projected and promoted through a certain lens. Editor: Absolutely. Together, they enrich our experience.