De tuin bij een hotel 1860 - 1880

J.S.J. de Jongh captured "De tuin bij een hotel" using photography, a medium rapidly evolving during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This tranquil scene reflects the era's burgeoning interest in leisure and the commodification of relaxation, predominantly accessible to the upper classes. The carefully manicured garden, the grand architecture of the hotel, and the implicit promise of refined comfort speak to the values of a society structured around privilege and leisure. But, who is missing from this image? What labour was required to create this scene of tranquility? Think of the gardeners, maids and kitchen staff required to keep a hotel of this grandeur in operation. This image isn’t just a photograph; it is an artifact of social and economic stratification. It prompts us to consider how spaces of leisure are often built upon the less visible labor of others. It asks us to look beyond the immediate beauty and contemplate the unseen forces shaping our environments.