Handschoen van groen leer c. 1915 - 1950

Editor: These are “Handschoen van groen leer”—Green Leather Gloves—dated circa 1915 to 1950, residing at the Rijksmuseum. There's a rather subdued and sophisticated feeling to them; their simplicity is almost assertive. What stories do you see woven into this pair? Curator: Green itself is heavily coded. From verdant nature and the hope of spring to envy and inexperience. And leather! It speaks of protection, of status depending on its quality, but also the hide itself can recall ideas about the animal. Do these gloves remind you of anything in particular? Editor: I hadn't thought of the implications of the green; it seemed purely aesthetic at first. I guess the gloves remind me of something my grandmother would have worn. Did glove-wearing signify anything special during that era? Curator: Absolutely. Gloves often functioned as signifiers of class, propriety, and even intimacy. Consider the act of removing a glove – it could signal trust or even daring depending on the social context. The very touch was mediated, altered by that material barrier. What emotional response does the image evoke for you? Editor: Thinking about them as symbols…there's a sense of formality and distance, yet also an idea of gentle care. Someone invested in these gloves and their presentation. They're not just practical; they carry a subtle narrative. Curator: Precisely! It invites a reflection on the performative aspect of dress, doesn’t it? How artifacts like these become loaded with cultural and personal memories. Considering just a single color or material opens whole new avenues to explore! Editor: This has completely changed how I perceive such seemingly mundane objects. I'll definitely look more closely at the implied stories in other textiles now!