Zeilboten bij zonsondergang before 1903

Editor: This is “Zeilboten bij zonsondergang,” or "Sailboats at Sunset," taken before 1903 by W. Gesche. It’s a gelatin-silver print. What strikes me immediately is how the strong vertical lines of the masts bisect the softer horizontal bands of water and sky. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The manipulation of light and shadow here is fascinating. Notice how the photographer uses tonal gradation to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The sharp reflection in the water mimics the real form of the boat above, dividing the picture vertically into halves of being and perception, thus complicating traditional perspective. Does the duplication introduce any symbolic associations? Editor: It’s like a Rorschach test! Is the inverted reflection meant to question reality? Curator: That’s possible, but first look at the way Gesche constructs the image through pure form. The interplay of vertical masts and the horizontal line of the horizon creates a visual structure that exists independent of the scene. Focus instead on how the artist reduces nature to simple shapes that give insight into the nature of vision and the material of photography itself. Are there other aspects of pictorial arrangement that affect our reading? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. The high contrast emphasizes the abstract qualities…almost as if the boats were unimportant subjects, in a way. Thank you for focusing my eye on this. Curator: You're welcome. Studying the inherent design empowers our awareness and perception.