Man en vrouw aan weerszijden van een beek, 'Romeo en Julia' 1889 - 1905

This photographic print titled 'Man en vrouw aan weerszijden van een beek, 'Romeo en Julia', made by an anonymous artist, presents a re-staging of the famous Shakespeare play. Executed as a stereoscopic card, the image invites a three-dimensional viewing experience, drawing the viewer into its romantic narrative. The title suggests a conscious parallel with Shakespeare’s iconic lovers, yet the scene is infused with its own historical and cultural specificity. The characters appear in what seems to be traditional, rural attire which might be a local custom. Set against a backdrop of nature, a stream divides them, representing not only the literal but also the symbolic barriers to their union. This choice of setting and costume opens up questions about class, tradition, and the negotiation of identity within a specific cultural context. The image asks us to consider how narratives of love and longing are constantly re-staged, mediated by the constraints and possibilities of identity and place.