Bij de Tol, Amstelveen 1909

This unassuming image of Amstelveen, an anonymous postcard, speaks volumes about the democratization of image-making. It's a mechanically produced artifact, ink laid down on paper, which suggests its context of mass consumption. The scene is of everyday life in a Dutch town, and the image itself would have been accessible to a wide audience. Look at the way the colors are rendered, almost like a painting, yet achieved through industrial processes of printing, photography and distribution. The making of this postcard reflects the rise of consumer culture and the accessibility of art to the masses. By understanding its material qualities, we recognize the cultural values it embodies, challenging any rigid distinction between ‘high art’ and the artifacts of everyday life.