Straathoek in Menton before 1896

Robert Demachy produced this photogravure titled 'Straathoek in Menton'. Demachy was a key figure in the pictorialist movement, which sought to establish photography as a fine art form. His images often capture fleeting moments of everyday life with a soft, dreamlike quality. Here, we see figures on a street corner in Menton, France. The woman in the foreground is bent over what looks like laundry. Demachy often depicted women in domestic scenes, reflecting the gendered expectations of his time. It raises questions about the representation of labor, class, and the female figure within the context of early 20th-century photography. The image captures a sense of quiet dignity amid the daily routines of working-class life. Demachy's artistic approach elevates this scene to a moment of contemplation, inviting us to consider the lives and stories embedded within the photograph.