Drie gezichten op de kust van San Sebastián - Charlotte Alida Boelen-Matthes

A collection of three vintage gelatin silver prints documenting the coastline of San Sebastián, captured from a hotel vantage point.

This archival document presents three distinct photographic views of the coastline at San Sebastián, captured by Charlotte Alida Boelen-Matthes. The images are mounted on a grey album page, accompanied by handwritten annotations in Dutch, which translate to 'San Sebastian' and 'View from the hotel'. These photographs offer a glimpse into the travel practices of the early twentieth century, documenting the coastal topography of the Basque region through a personal lens.

The composition of each frame focuses on the expansive bay, capturing the interplay of light across the water and the silhouette of the surrounding hills. The perspective suggests an elevated vantage point, likely from a hotel room overlooking the Concha Bay. The monochromatic palette emphasises the atmospheric conditions of the day, with soft transitions between the sky and the sea. The inclusion of foreground elements, such as the silhouettes of trees and utility poles, provides a sense of scale and situates the viewer within the physical space of the photographer.

As a collection, these prints function as a visual diary. They record the specific aesthetic of European seaside travel during the interwar period. The arrangement on the page reflects the common practice of scrapbooking, where personal memory and geographical documentation intersect. The clarity of the prints, despite their small format, allows for an examination of the coastal features and the urban development visible along the shoreline. This work provides a record of a specific time and place, preserved through the medium of amateur photography.