Twee kinderen bij een klein rijtuig op een grindpad 1900 - 1920

This is a photograph by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler portraying two children with a small carriage on a gravel path. Photographs like this one were often presented as stereoviews and were immensely popular. This format gives the illusion of depth to the image when viewed through a stereoscope. The chemical processes of early photography are fascinating. Light-sensitive materials like silver halides were key to capturing the image, requiring careful preparation and development techniques. The social context of photography in this period is also important. It democratized portraiture, making images accessible to a wider middle class. Studios sprung up everywhere, offering affordable ways to capture memories and family moments. This photograph invites us to consider the materials and making that went into it, alongside its broader cultural impact. Understanding these aspects helps us appreciate the photograph beyond its surface, challenging traditional distinctions between art, craft, and everyday life.