Gezicht op de haven van Göteborg c. 1889 - 1920

This photochrom print gives us a view of the port of Gothenburg, its quiet colors revealing a city and a harbor. It was made by an anonymous artist, and there is such a wonderful openness to not knowing who made it. I imagine the photographer setting up their equipment, looking out over the harbor filled with ships, each with its own story. The low buildings and the dusty, empty foreground are almost dream-like, evoking the feeling of a distant past. It's easy to imagine this unknown artist working in solitude, trying to capture the mood of this place. It reminds me of some early 20th century photography, that period when everything was opening up in painting. It is like this artist was having a conversation with the whole history of seeing. Whether it's painting or photography, it's all part of a huge, ongoing conversation, you know? Each artist responds to what came before, trying to find something new to say. It's not about having the last word, but about adding your voice to this rich and endless exchange.