Vermoedelijk Italiaanse militairen, een paard en een wagen en dokter Cervelli (rechts) in een straat in Cortina d'Ampezzo in de Dolomieten 1916

This photograph was taken by Henri de Rothschild, capturing a street scene in Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites. As a photograph, the image’s materiality is, of course, light itself, captured on a treated surface. The photographic process, even in its early forms, was fundamentally industrial, relying on the mass production of equipment and chemicals. This contrasted starkly with the unique, handmade quality of painting and sculpture. Photographs also have an inherent connection to documentation. Here, the presence of military personnel evokes the social context of the early 20th century. The image captures a moment in time, a specific place, and perhaps alludes to the broader historical events unfolding. It asks us to consider the labor and logistics involved in military operations. So, by attending to photography's material basis and social context, we can move beyond simply appreciating its aesthetic qualities and towards a deeper understanding of its cultural significance.