Griekse vaas met lelies before 1897

This is a photograph titled, "Griekse vaas met lelies" or "Greek vase with lilies", made by an anonymous artist at an unknown date. The image presents a classical vase filled with lilies, flanked by arrangements of the same flowers. In the darkroom, the photographer would have been able to manipulate the exposure of the print to emphasize certain areas and obscure others, building up layers of tone. The very act of arranging and photographing these flowers elevates them to the status of art, taking on a new symbolic meaning. The lilies and vase are transformed into a still life, carefully arranged and captured through the lens. But unlike a painting, the photograph directly captures the textures and forms of the natural world. Ultimately, a work like this reminds us of the relationship between nature, culture, and the means of production that allow us to capture and represent the world around us.