Visser aan de waterkant before 1896

Marcel Vanderkindere made this photograph, Visser aan de waterkant, with a camera and darkroom techniques. The sepia tones and soft focus are characteristic of early photography, where the material qualities of the process influenced the final image. The photograph is a record of light and shadow, capturing a serene scene of a fisherman by the water. But it is also an object produced through careful labor. From preparing the photographic plates to developing the image, each step required skill and attention. Think about the labor involved, the physical work, and the cost of the materials. In its time, photography was a relatively new medium, not yet fully integrated into the art world. It bridged the gap between craft and industry, making images accessible while maintaining a connection to manual processes. This photograph invites us to consider the labor and materiality behind all forms of art.