Gezicht op Roquebrune-Cap-Martin 1863 - 1891

Curator: Let’s delve into this landscape, "Gezicht op Roquebrune-Cap-Martin" by Neurdein Frères, a photograph created sometime between 1863 and 1891. What strikes you most about it? Editor: Well, besides the gorgeous view, the sepia tone really draws me in. It’s like a window into the past, making me think about how the process of photography was so different back then. It almost makes the image feel like it was handmade or crafted, rather than captured instantly. How would you interpret the importance of the medium and production within the social context it was made? Curator: Excellent observation. This isn't just a landscape; it's a product of specific material conditions and social needs. Think about the labor involved in creating these photographs back then, the darkroom work, the transport of heavy equipment, and the target audience eager to possess views of distant lands. It highlights the emerging industry around travel and tourism, fueled by a growing middle class with leisure time and disposable income. It also highlights the division between the intellectual labor and the material, hands-on aspects. Editor: That makes a lot of sense! It's not just about *what* is being shown – Roquebrune-Cap-Martin – but *how* it was made, who made it, and *why* it was being consumed. It was probably an expensive photograph to produce. What does that indicate to you? Curator: Exactly! The cost of production likely limited its initial accessibility to a specific segment of society, revealing underlying socioeconomic dynamics at play during that time. Now think about how photographs today can be immediately replicated, and distributed through the internet and ask if this technological shift has redefined not only production but social implications, labor demands, accessibility, and power? Editor: Fascinating! I'll never look at an old photograph the same way again. I’ll also think of materiality more broadly! Curator: Likewise, reflecting on photography in the current moment is critical.