Wandelgezelschap zittend op een trap before 1894

Editor: Here we have a photograph titled "Wandelgezelschap zittend op een trap," which translates to “Group of walkers sitting on stairs.” Created before 1894 by Hendrik Herman van den Berg, it’s a gelatin silver print. What strikes me is how casually posed it is, like a candid shot, but then everyone's wearing such formal attire. What do you make of it? Curator: You know, it’s funny you say that because it captures a specific kind of staged spontaneity that was popular back then, a deliberate “naturalness," which always makes me chuckle. I see a story here, a moment frozen in time where these gentlemen, perhaps after a brisk walk in Gelderland, decided to rest, seemingly unaware of the photographer's presence – but they are *absolutely* aware. I wonder about their relationships, the inside jokes, and the ambitions swirling amongst them. Do you get any sense of that? Editor: I get a slight feeling of camaraderie, but also perhaps some social stratification, even though they appear similar. Is that projecting too much of myself onto it? Curator: Not at all! Think about the accessories – the walking sticks, the hats. Small details perhaps, but these sartorial choices, just like how we present ourselves today through fashion or what we share on social media, can telegraph much more than the sum of their parts. What do you feel their clothing communicates? Editor: Perhaps their attempt at belonging while subtly indicating social status. And the location too - not overly manicured, but tidy. Curator: Precisely. This photograph is about image and how we construct them – consciously or not. This, of course, reminds me a lot of how things haven’t changed as much as they appear. Don't you think? Editor: I suppose some things never really change, just the costumes and the props!