Eupen at the beginning of the 20th century. In Photoatelier Franken, three men are placed in front of a screen. They are playing cards and drinking wine. It is a staging that the photographed men chose themselves, was suggested by the photographer or was realised in mutual agreement. The picture also provides information about the fashion of the era and about leisure activities. It also shows what traditions and constraints the people concerned may have been subject to.
The edges of the picture immediately reveal that this is a glass plate negative made with the so-called wet plate technique. This technique was mainly used in the second half of the 19th century. For this, the photographer needs, apart from a custom-cut glass plate and the corresponding chemicals, a technical camera and a tripod. The exposure time is comparatively long, and during that time, people must not move, or else they become blurred in the photo. This explains why the three men have their eyes closed or half-closed. You can also see slight movements on their hands.
Apart from these technical aspects, the appearance of the three men is also striking. They wear suits, have red wine glasses in front of them and play cards. They obviously belong to the upper middle class. The photo is meant to convey a moment of relaxation.
It is also striking that none of the three is smiling. Of course, this may have something to do with their concentration on the card game. But in addition, smiles were unusual in photographs before the 1950s. It was not considered sufficiently dignified in photographs.
The romantic background picture and the stylish furniture most likely originate from the photographer’s studio. They were probably provided by him.