Man met telefoon 1897

Editor: Here we have "Man met telefoon" from 1897 by William Herman Rau. It's a photograph, likely a daguerreotype. What strikes me is how posed and staged it feels. It is clearly not just a snapshot. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This is fascinating as a record of early telephone technology within a specific social stratum. Consider the materials – the polished wood of the telephone, the gentleman's suit, the opulent armchair, even the cardstock it’s printed on. These all speak to a level of affluence and access. How might the telephone, as a commodity, reinforce existing power structures of that era? Editor: I guess the telephone wouldn't be for everyone, only for those with the financial resources. And his pose seems a bit like an advertisement, too. Curator: Precisely. Notice how the photograph is also a product, meant for mass consumption and distribution as indicated by the text that reads: "SOLD ONLY BY Griffith & Griffith" on its left. It invites us to consider photography not only as an art form but also as a manufacturing process subject to capitalism and commodification, distributed as "American and Foreign Views". It says a lot about labour practices. Does the telephone, as a technological tool, seem to democratize communication, or simply extend the reach of established elites? Editor: That’s a really interesting point. I hadn't considered how the means of production shaped even a simple portrait like this. The materiality really changes how I read the image. Curator: It underscores the intricate relationships between art, material culture, and socio-economic forces at play during that era. Perhaps reflecting on that has enabled you to engage the viewer with a more critical approach. Editor: It definitely has! I'll certainly look at early photographs in a different light from now on!