Nederlands familiealbum met 72 portretten 1860 - 1900

Editor: We’re looking at a Dutch family album containing 72 portraits, created between 1860 and 1900. It's an albumen print, a type of photography. The dark colours give it a serious, almost sombre mood. What do you see in it? Curator: Initially, one notes the stark juxtaposition of the plush velvet cover against the cold, metallic shield and clasp. The albumen print, with its sepia tones contained within, becomes secondary to the tactile and visual experience offered by the album itself as object. Editor: That's a great point. I was so focused on what might be *inside* the album. Do the materials themselves give us more insight? Curator: The velvet, prone to wear, implies handling and intimate viewing. Consider its degradation; its patina communicates time elapsed. The metal shield, however, is less yielding. This contrast is essential. The album is a protected archive, guarding portraits from decay but also presenting an unyielding face to the public. Editor: So the outside of the album is performing as a visual language, setting up the viewing experience before we even see the photographs? Curator: Precisely. The dark palette, detailed texture and composition inform our understanding and establish a framework for interpreting the contents within. Editor: I see that now. It's interesting to think of the album itself, as an object, carrying so much meaning, not just its contents. Curator: Indeed. A careful consideration of materiality allows for a richer, layered reading of the work. We moved beyond just the historical value into the material presence of the artwork itself.