Vier mensen spelen dubbelspel op een tennisbaan before 1894

This photograph by Hendrik Herman van den Berg captures four people playing tennis. The sepia tone suggests a historical context, likely the early 20th century, when photography was transitioning from a scientific process to a form of artistic expression. Van den Berg likely employed a gelatin silver process to create this image, where a light-sensitive emulsion of silver salts is coated on a film base. This method allowed for shorter exposure times, freezing the action of the tennis players in mid-swing. The level of detail gives us a sense of the scene, from the texture of the court to the players' clothing. But what does this image tell us beyond its surface? Tennis itself was becoming increasingly popular at this time, and it was tied to notions of leisure, class, and social status. Photography was becoming democratized, and this photo offers a glimpse into a moment of leisure, while inviting us to consider the social dynamics at play.