Gezicht op een Herberg in Baden-Württemberg 1890s

Editor: This photograph, "Gezicht op een Herberg in Baden-Württemberg," taken in the 1890s by P. Bussemer, presents a rather grand inn nestled in what looks like a forested area. The stone wall and pathway feel very constructed and solid, a contrast to the softer greenery. What do you see in this piece, from your perspective? Curator: From a materialist point of view, I’m interested in how this image captures a moment in the history of tourism and leisure. Think about the labor involved in constructing and maintaining such an inn. What kind of social class could afford to visit this establishment? The image itself, a photograph, is an interesting object – it was a relatively new technology at the time, influencing how landscapes and leisure activities were perceived and consumed. Do you notice how the perspective and framing directs our gaze, almost selling us an idea? Editor: Absolutely! It does feel very curated, designed to impress potential visitors. The cleanliness and order almost hide the work that goes into keeping it that way. Does the medium of photography influence your materialist reading? Curator: In a significant way. Photography was democratizing image production, even plein-air landscapes. But it also played into the growing commodification of leisure. Look closely—the architecture speaks to regional styles and emerging tastes, materials likely sourced and crafted by local workers, impacting the regional economy. What looks 'natural' is completely constructed and bound to social and economic relations. Editor: That’s fascinating. I hadn't considered the economic impact tied into the inn's construction and the accessibility of photography at the time. This materialist approach reveals a whole new layer of meaning beyond the simple representation of a building! Curator: Exactly! By thinking about the materials, labor, and social context embedded in this image, we uncover narratives about class, consumption, and the changing landscape of leisure in the late 19th century.