Twee paren bij hek in bos c. 1890 - 1910

This is a stereoscopic image by the Anglo American Stereo Company, showing two couples at a fence in a wooded area. These images, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, offered a sort of accessible virtual reality to the masses. During this period, strict social norms dictated gender roles and courtship rituals, particularly for the middle and upper classes depicted here. The clothing suggests a certain social class, with suits and hats for the men, and formal dresses and hats for the women. Consider how the act of posing for such a photograph was itself a performance of social identity. With new technologies, representation of relationships and intimacy could be widely shared. These images can appear sentimental today, yet they show a deep desire for connection. Doesn't it make you wonder about the private lives of these people and the complex dynamics of their relationships?