Gezicht op het meer van Genève met roeiboten bij Vevey c. 1875 - 1885

This photograph shows a view of Lake Geneva with rowboats near Vevey. In the 19th century, scenic views like this weren't just passive records; they actively shaped how people perceived nature. The romanticism of the era saw nature as a source of sublime beauty and spiritual solace. Here, the composition emphasizes a tranquil, almost dreamlike atmosphere. The figures in the rowboat and seated near the bollard are dwarfed by the immensity of the lake and the distant mountains. Consider, though, who gets to experience this sublime moment. Leisure activities like boating were often the domain of the middle and upper classes, a visual marker of social status. Does the photograph offer a genuine glimpse into nature, or a carefully constructed scene reflecting societal hierarchies? The blurred lines of the landscape evoke a sense of timelessness, but also ask us to contemplate the historical moment and social structures embedded within this picturesque scene.