Pelgrom. Elise (femme Schouppe). Deux photographies, dont une légendée: Reprod. faite 22/2/93. 1893

Editor: Here we have a photograph by Alphonse Bertillon from 1893, a gelatin silver print titled "Pelgrom. Elise (femme Schouppe)". It's a fascinating, somewhat faded portrait. What strikes me most is the way the light falls – or doesn't – creating this sense of reserved composure. How do you interpret the symbolism inherent in this image? Curator: Well, what immediately jumps out is the button, a common, functional object elevated into jewelry. What emotions does that single adornment, placed at the throat, evoke in you? What might it represent in the context of late 19th century bourgeois identity? Editor: I suppose it could symbolize restraint or the societal constraints placed upon women at the time. A practical fastening made beautiful, yet still... fastening. Do you think Bertillon, with his background in forensic science, chose to focus on such a minute detail intentionally? Curator: It's compelling to consider Bertillon's background here, and how he may have considered every object or form significant. In what ways might he want viewers to contemplate this piece of ornamentation to unlock meanings of womanhood during that era? Also consider, the gelatin silver process creates its own symbolic language. Editor: You're right, that photographic process itself signifies a particular moment in time and in technological advancement, marking social identity with clarity but also a stark formality. Thanks, this makes me appreciate the artistry involved, rather than seeing just an antiquated portrait. Curator: Indeed, tracing the transformation of the everyday into enduring symbols unveils a complex interplay of personal and collective meaning. Now you might look for other adornments that are so seamlessly stitched into one's being to understand individual character and expression.