Gezicht op een rivier before 1895

This photogravure of a river view comes to us from the French photographer Michel Berthaud, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Think about this image not just as a landscape, but as a cultural artifact. Berthaud, like many of his contemporaries, was deeply influenced by the aesthetic sensibilities of his time. Landscape photography during this period often romanticized nature, portraying it as sublime and untouched by human presence. But consider for a moment the power dynamics at play: who has access to these landscapes, and whose stories are being told? Berthaud's photographs often reflect the colonial gaze, framing exotic locales through a Western lens. While his images may evoke a sense of wonder and beauty, they also perpetuate certain narratives about the relationship between the West and the rest of the world. Take a moment to consider the emotional impact this image has on you, and to question the historical and cultural narratives it may be reinforcing.