Rivier met brug en huizen, vermoedelijk in Spaans Baskenland 1904

Curator: Let’s take a look at “River with bridge and houses, presumably in Spanish Basque Country.” This gelatin-silver print was taken in 1904 by the photographer Delizy and is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: There’s a certain stillness in this photograph. The sepia tones lend it a melancholic air, like a memory half-faded. It makes you want to visit it. Curator: Indeed. The photograph reflects the broader artistic and social shifts occurring around the turn of the century, it reflects themes of modernity versus tradition within European society. As rural ways of life and values confronted industry. I’d be curious what the artist aimed to tell here, with an emphasis on Realism. Editor: That intersection between modernity and tradition plays out here with this old stone bridge contrasting to the landscape which appears more curated to farming activities. It also gives off feelings of isolation which contrasts significantly with the current, oversaturated society of globalization and capitalism. Curator: Exactly! How these bridges and routes affected identity in Basque regions can be seen in their role as both connectors and demarcations, shaping cultural exchange. The climb of agricultural life can further tell this story as these two figures appear. Editor: The clarity allows one to imagine their own connections to place in such remote setting, and as if you're looking at the place you came from. We get some information here: rural Basque people co-habituating in an industrialist and capitalistic world. These social and historical factors certainly feed into a sense of community resilience during challenging times. Curator: Thank you for sharing your emotional feelings towards art, and this intersectional point-of-view about class! It provides an intersectional narrative. Editor: Yes! A bridge can take you from one place to another!