Rosia before 1870

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this image of Rosia, an albumen print made before 1870, by J.H. Mann. Editor: It's quiet. There's such a still, almost melancholic mood radiating from the image. The starkness of the landscape definitely draws you in. Curator: Looking at this print, one can’t ignore the complex history of landscape photography in the 19th century. Its development coincided with colonialism and served to construct visual narratives that often justified the exploitation of lands and people. Where do you think this image, "Rosia," sits within that historical context? Editor: Seeing the arid environment, it really begs the question: what was involved in the process? From sourcing materials to printing the final image. And whose labor created this final object? What did that process look like here? Curator: I wonder how much this image represents not just a geographical location, but also broader themes of identity, longing, and power associated with landscape representation. Think about the absence of people within the shot. Editor: Right. This emptiness emphasizes the manipulation inherent in photography. By selecting certain details, while excluding people and processes, Mann shapes the narrative. The relationship of labor, resources, and power remains largely unexamined within this specific photograph. Curator: It truly illustrates how a single image can reflect both personal artistry and the larger sociopolitical issues. These seemingly simple prints hide worlds of meaning. Editor: Agreed. Looking at it again, understanding the process reveals the colonial era power relations embedded within seemingly straightforward depictions.