Dora, Liesbeth en drieling Arntzenius c. 1860 - 1915

This photograph, "Dora, Liesbeth en drieling Arntzenius" was taken by Willem Witsen, a Dutch artist, at the turn of the 20th century. It captures a moment of social interaction amidst the rise of new technologies. Here we see the rise of the bicycle, a new technology, with a group of smartly dressed upper middle class individuals, women and men together. The location could be either a private garden or an upscale cycling club. This brings to mind new forms of leisure that emerged with industrialization and urbanization. Consider the way that social class dictates which forms of leisure were acceptable. Note, too, the presence of a dog, a Borzoi, a breed associated with the Russian aristocracy. Understanding this image requires an understanding of the social and economic changes in the Netherlands at the time. Periodicals, social club records, and even advertisements can provide additional context, helping us to interpret not just what is seen, but the values and power dynamics inherent in the image.