Portret van Johan Catharinus Justus Bierens de Haan in kostuum met degen 1885 - 1895

Editor: This photograph, "Portret van Johan Catharinus Justus Bierens de Haan in kostuum met degen," taken sometime between 1885 and 1895 by Jan Goedeljee, really strikes me. There's something theatrical and slightly humorous about it, almost like a costume party gone sepia-toned. What do you see in it? Curator: Oh, I love that take! I see it as a fascinating little time capsule. To me, it's not just a portrait; it whispers of the sitter's aspirations and perhaps a longing for a romanticized past. He's dressed in what he imagines to be a historical costume, complete with a rapier – not exactly everyday wear! Makes me wonder about the purpose behind commissioning a photograph like this. Did he identify with a particular historical figure or movement? Was it just a bit of fancy dress for a special occasion? Editor: That’s interesting; I hadn’t considered it as a longing for the past. I just saw it as playful. Is it possible he wasn't taking himself seriously at all? Curator: Absolutely! Humor and irony weren't invented yesterday, were they? It's very possible the sitter saw the absurdity of it all. Or perhaps, even more deliciously, Goedeljee, the photographer, was in on the joke. Maybe that’s why it's in the genre painting category… that playfulness adds a layer of depth that elevates it beyond a mere record. Editor: Hmm, I’m definitely seeing the playful possibilities now, that reading is more exciting. It really does open up new layers. Curator: Exactly! That's what makes art so perpetually exciting. It's never just one thing; it's a conversation. Editor: Right, a visual conversation! Curator: Precisely, darling, precisely! And this conversation? It's got a fabulous accent, don’t you think?