Twee mannen manoevreren een automobiel op een veer te Bernkastel 1900 - 1906

This sepia photograph, titled "Two Men Maneuvering an Automobile on a Ferry in Bernkastel," was taken by Delizy. The tonal range is so small that everything appears linked by degrees of warmth, like it's all breathing the same air. I’m drawn to the way the photographer captures the automobile, the latest technology, and the older, manual ferry mechanism side by side. Look at the texture of the tires, they sit upon the wood of the ferry, and the worn fabric of the car seat. Everything is so clear, yet rendered in a narrow band of colour. The man with the cane in particular stands out, as the light appears to spill down his coat. This piece reminds me a little of Eugène Atget, who was so intent on documenting everyday life in Paris. Both artists share this interest in the intersection between history and daily life. It's a reminder that art is often about bearing witness, capturing the essence of a particular time and place, leaving us with a sense of wonder and connection to the past.