Gezicht op het standbeeld van Willem van Oranje op het Plein in Den Haag 1873 - 1890

Editor: This photographic print captures the statue of Willem van Oranje on Plein Square in The Hague, dating from between 1873 and 1890. The mood is rather somber, the statue appears almost imposing, towering over the square. What kind of statement do you believe this work is making? Curator: Well, firstly, it is a stereograph, right? Indicating that there were many made for people to purchase, a commodification of national identity in a sense. We must remember that images such as these actively participate in constructing narratives. The statue of Willem van Oranje, of course, is not simply a neutral object. Editor: So you're saying it's about nation-building? Curator: Precisely! Consider when this photograph was taken: in the late 19th century, when national identity was being actively constructed and reinforced. Willem van Oranje became a potent symbol, but we have to ask *for whom*? Whose stories get told, and whose are erased or ignored? The statue is centered. Who is it meant to be for? And, subsequently, what kind of behaviours and characteristics does it subtly encourage its audience to follow? Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It's easy to forget that even seemingly straightforward images can carry so much… baggage, I guess. Curator: Exactly. Thinking about the perspective of gender is interesting, too. Note the distinctly patriarchal focus of public statues at this time. Considering what kinds of assumptions the patriarchy expects of people then provides further cultural contexts within which we can understand pieces like this! Editor: That's fascinating. I never thought of analyzing photography like this. I appreciate you broadening my perspective. Curator: It's essential to continuously question the messages embedded in art and popular imagery, and how those messages shape our understanding of the world around us!