Theeceremonie met drie vrouwen 1900 - 1907

Editor: This is "Theeceremonie met drie vrouwen", or "Tea Ceremony with Three Women," taken sometime between 1900 and 1907 by T. Enami. It's a hand-colored photograph printed on paper. What strikes me is the quiet formality – a glimpse into a serene, private ritual, almost frozen in time. What do you see in it? Curator: Frozen indeed. For me, this piece whispers stories. Imagine slipping into this world – the soft rustle of kimonos, the delicate clink of porcelain, the almost palpable steam rising from the tea. Enami captured a real cultural fascination with Japan at the time, now called Japonisme. A true window into a world viewed with romantic, idealized lenses! Does the careful arrangement of objects mean something more, do you think? Editor: Possibly! It makes me wonder about the audience Enami was trying to reach, like were these meant to appeal to western tastes at the time, portraying an exotic and controlled version of Japanese life? Curator: Exactly! They weren’t merely documenting a scene; they were carefully staging a tableau for consumption. But in that staging, perhaps there’s also a kernel of truth, a yearning for that serene beauty in a rapidly changing world. Like a fleeting dream of simpler times! And who doesn't crave simpler times? Editor: That's a beautiful thought. I’m starting to see it as less of a posed shot, and more like an aspirational vision. Thanks, I learned a lot about staged photography from the period, so I appreciate your perspective. Curator: Anytime! Maybe next time, tea's on me – though I can't promise a geisha.