Nederlands familiealbum met 71 foto's 1866 - 1900

Editor: This is “Nederlands familiealbum met 71 foto's,” a Dutch family album containing 71 photographs. It was created sometime between 1866 and 1900, and it’s right here at the Rijksmuseum! The cover seems almost austere at first glance, but the botanical motifs soften it. What catches your eye, though? Curator: It’s funny, isn't it? How something intended to hold such intimate memories is adorned with such formal decorations. To me, it speaks volumes about the changing role of photography. From novelty to cherished heirloom! The worn edges tell their own story, too. You can almost feel the history rippling off of it. What kind of stories might these images tell? Editor: Do you think the choice of foliage is deliberate, or just decorative? Curator: Well, darling, everything in art is deliberate, isn’t it? The repeating patterns suggest enduring themes—growth, legacy, the interconnectedness of family… I wonder, were those leaves fashionable back then? Are they a nod to, perhaps, aspirations of country estate life among the upwardly mobile middle class? Food for thought! What do you suppose happened to it? Editor: It's bittersweet imagining the generations who flipped through it. It makes you wonder about the value we place on tangible memories versus digital ones today, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely! And what we'll leave behind for those who come after us. Maybe… maybe we need to start making albums again! What do you think, Editor?