Drie personen op een brug over een sloot in Frankrijk 1898

This small photograph by Delizy captures three figures on a bridge in rural France. It's a modest object, likely made with commonly available camera equipment and printing processes of the time. What strikes me is the raw materiality of the scene – the rough-hewn timbers of the bridge, the muddy banks of the canal, and the figures themselves, whose clothing suggests a life of labor. The bridge appears functional, built for necessity rather than aesthetics, indicative of the everyday lives of the figures depicted. Consider the labor involved in constructing such a bridge, the felling of trees, the sawing and assembly of planks, all done by hand. The photograph itself is a product of a specific time and place, reflecting the social and economic realities of rural France. By focusing on the materials and the processes of production, we gain a deeper appreciation for the lives of those represented, challenging any preconceived notions about the hierarchy of art and craft.