Gezicht op het Aquariumgebouw van dierentuin Artis aan de Plantage Middenlaan c. 1860 - 1900

Editor: This is a vintage albumen print from somewhere between 1860 and 1900, by Andries Jager. It depicts the Aquarium building at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam, and it's held at the Rijksmuseum. The architecture has a striking, almost theatrical presence. I'm curious, what underlying narratives do you think this image holds? Curator: Well, observe how the artist frames the scene. The architectural details are precise, aren't they? Classical revival styles are evident, but there is something exotic hinting at wonders within its walls, almost like the building itself is a character. Editor: An orientalist sensibility? Curator: Perhaps, in the sense of it being perceived and rendered as exotic through a Western lens. Look closely at the figures; their placement gives the photograph a staged feel. Consider this: What does the act of displaying aquatic life in such a structured environment symbolize? Editor: Control over nature, maybe? Or a desire to understand the unknown by categorizing it. The building certainly domesticates nature in a sense, placing the chaotic underwater world behind classical facades. Curator: Exactly. And this constructed gaze extends beyond just the zoo itself. What continuities or disconnections can we observe between this era and our own regarding our relationship with the environment? Editor: It is still charged, even if the architecture shifted styles. It highlights humanity's continuous effort to categorize, present and engage with the natural world, a theme that remains potent today. Curator: Precisely. This image serves not only as a historical document but as a symbol of our enduring relationship with the natural world, reflecting both wonder and the urge to dominate. Editor: Thank you, it helped seeing beyond its pretty picture and appreciating the layered meanings and social cues hidden within this photograph.