Twee onbekende mannen in een roeiboot op de Rhone before 1893

This is an undated photograph by Jules Royer depicting two unknown men in a rowboat on the Rhone. This image invites reflection on labor, leisure and the representation of the working class. During Royer’s time, photography was increasingly accessible, allowing for broader documentation of society. This photograph captures a seemingly ordinary scene, yet it prompts us to consider the lives of the figures depicted. The two men in the boat are anonymous, their stories untold, representative of the countless individuals who contributed to the economic and social fabric of their time. This image may reflect the romanticism of the era or perhaps, a more straightforward, less mediated view. The photograph then, becomes a meditation on the collective experience and the often-unseen labor that shapes our world. It encourages us to reflect on the value and dignity of work and the importance of recognizing the humanity in every individual, regardless of their social standing.