Gezelschap op de Loosdrechtse Plassen 1913 - 1915

This photograph, "Gezelschap op de Loosdrechtse Plassen," was taken by Carolina Onnen, likely in May of 1913. The photographic process itself, capturing a moment in time and fixing it onto a light-sensitive surface, was becoming increasingly accessible to amateur enthusiasts at this time. Here, the sepia tones and the way the image is presented in a personal album are really important. This is not about high art; it's about capturing a specific social context, a leisure outing on the Loosdrechtse Plassen. The act of photographing, printing, and carefully placing these images into an album speaks volumes about the value placed on these personal memories. The album format, with its handwritten notes, elevates the snapshot from a mere image to a cherished artifact. What we see are the modes of production meeting modes of consumption, with photography becoming a way to document and preserve privileged moments of leisure, forever. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple photographs are crafted objects, embedded with social significance.