Vierspan van baron van der Goes van Dirxland uit Den Haag tijdens de eerste marathon van Nederland op Houtrust, Den Haag Possibly 1914 - 1924

This monochrome photograph by an anonymous artist captures Baron van der Goes van Dirxland's four-horse carriage at the first marathon in Houtrust, The Hague. The composition is structured around the linear progression of the horses and carriage, balanced by the architecture in the background. The photograph's form invites a semiotic reading. The horses, meticulously harnessed, symbolize power and status, further emphasized by the presence of formally dressed figures within the carriage. Flags punctuate the skyline, signifying celebration or demarcation. The photograph becomes more than a record of an event. It encapsulates the social hierarchy and cultural values of its time. This interplay of form and content allows us to view the photograph not just as a historical document, but as a cultural artifact that reflects and reinforces prevailing social structures.