[Boats in Lübeck] c. 1930s

Editor: This is a rather small gelatin silver print, titled "Boats in Lübeck," attributed to Laurence Feininger. It's quite striking, the high contrast makes it feel almost like a dream. What jumps out at you? Curator: I'm drawn to the means of production here. Gelatin silver prints were a common, accessible technology. This small size suggests mass consumption, perhaps a souvenir. Editor: A souvenir? That's interesting! How does that affect our interpretation? Curator: It positions the image within a system of tourism and commodification, the boats becoming objects to be possessed and consumed visually. The labor involved in their construction is obscured. What do you think about that? Editor: I hadn't considered the tourist aspect. It really changes how I see the image. Thanks! Curator: Precisely! Examining the material and social context offers a deeper understanding of the image's function beyond its aesthetic qualities.