Onafhankelijkheidsmonument op Plein 1813 in Den Haag c. 1869 - 1890

This photograph by M.M. Couvée depicts the Independence Monument in The Hague. Photography in the 19th century involved a whole suite of material processes, from preparing the light-sensitive emulsions, to mastering the camera and optics, to printing, and then mounting the final product, as seen here on card stock. Consider how different this is from photography today, where you can snap a picture with a smartphone and instantly share it around the world. In Couvée’s time, there was a necessary investment of labor and skill, and an understanding of chemistry. This lent photography a certain aura, and a close relationship to the history of printmaking. The choice of subject here is relevant too. Photography was often deployed as a tool of documentation, and as a means of monumentalizing subjects of national importance. This particular monument commemorates the end of French rule, marking a pivotal moment in Dutch history. The photograph captures a specific time, but also reflects on the changing relationships between labor, technology, and national identity.