['West bay', 'East bay'] before 1886

Editor: This is a dual albumen print from before 1886 by Albert Courret, titled 'West Bay' and 'East Bay.' The muted tones create a hazy, almost dreamlike atmosphere. What do you see in this diptych of photographic landscapes? Curator: I see a portrait of privilege and power presented as scenic views. Consider the albumen print: a process popular among the upper classes. These meticulously crafted images of 'West Bay' and 'East Bay' become not just records, but commodities for consumption by the wealthy. The act of capturing and possessing such images speaks to a broader history of colonialism and the objectification of place. Editor: So you're saying that the seemingly innocent landscapes might actually be reinforcing a social hierarchy? Curator: Precisely! Who has access to these views? Who controls the narrative around them? Courret's photographs, while beautiful, participated in shaping perceptions of place and power. Think about who *isn't* in these images. Where are the local inhabitants, the working class, the people whose labor sustains these seemingly untouched paradises? Their absence is deafening, isn’t it? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It makes me reconsider what it means to look at historical landscape photography. Curator: Absolutely. By questioning the context in which these images were created and consumed, we can begin to unravel the complex web of social and political forces at play. Editor: Thanks for that insightful analysis, it really challenges my initial understanding of these prints. Curator: It's important to consider who gets to see, who gets to be seen, and who is erased in the process.