Gezicht op de Calle de Bailén in Madrid met een parade van vermoedelijk militairen c. 1888 - 1898

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, titled "Gezicht op de Calle de Bailén in Madrid met een parade van vermoedelijk militairen," was created by Hauser y Menet around 1888-1898. It’s a cityscape – quite striking! The depth is fascinating, almost overwhelming. What stands out to you about this image? Curator: As a materialist, I’m drawn to the gelatin-silver process itself. Think about the labor involved in preparing the emulsion, coating the paper, the darkroom work, the economic forces driving the availability and standardization of these materials in the late 19th century. How did that influence image production? Editor: So you’re saying the choice of gelatin-silver impacts not only the image, but how and why it was made? Curator: Exactly! Pictorialism, like we see in this work, used these standardized materials, yet sought to elevate photography to the level of painting. Notice the soft focus and atmospheric effects. Are they celebrating progress, or romanticizing it? Who benefits from portraying this street scene? Editor: I see your point. It’s not just a record; it's a carefully constructed representation made possible by particular materials, a particular historical and societal structure. Curator: Precisely. And understanding those material conditions helps us to deconstruct the image, questioning the narrative being presented about modernity and military power. We must consider the socioeconomic implications. Editor: That’s really fascinating, I hadn’t considered the implications behind Pictorialism and mass production of image media. Curator: By examining the processes and context of the print, we gain a deeper appreciation for the choices and potential biases that the artists might not even recognize consciously. Editor: That's definitely a richer understanding than I had before. I will approach every artwork with different eyes!