Reproductie naar een foto van Willem Witsen c. 1860 - 1915

Curator: I’m struck by the quiet intensity in this portrait. The eyes hold a depth, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, a piercing gaze! It's funny, I immediately feel a sense of old libraries, smoky rooms, you know...intellectual vibes all around. Almost like he's judging my choice of reading material! Curator: He very well might. What we have here is a reproduction of a photograph attributed to Willem Witsen, created somewhere between 1860 and 1915. It’s a gelatin silver print. You can find it here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: A reproduction of a photo, huh? Layers upon layers! Well, that almost enhances that ghostly, timeless feeling I get. There's something stark about the monochromatic tones; all blacks, whites and shades of gray; very sober... Curator: Very sober indeed. Photography as a medium was still developing its aesthetic identity in those days, so Witsen, knowingly or not, contributes to that discourse here. The work stands firmly within the realistic approach gaining traction at the time, emphasizing accuracy and truth. And don’t forget the rise of the bourgeoisie in that period and how it was reflected in photography, where portraits like these acted almost like stamps for notability. Editor: Ah, stamps of notability! Love that. There's a formal stiffness about the pose; it's as if this man isn't comfortable in his own skin; very formal but still, intriguing. But maybe it’s because it's also difficult to escape the weight and solemnity imposed by formal portraiture as a genre... it all adds a particular gravitas, right? Curator: Exactly! The institutional forces dictating acceptable representation play a crucial role here. Editor: All I can say is: he kind of reminds me of my old history teacher. All seriousness and booming voice... gave me nightmares, but he had that knowing gaze. Makes you wonder what stories were hidden behind that magnificent beard, huh? Curator: What fascinates me most is how photography, even back then, became this accessible way of claiming space in the historical narrative. To say "I was here; I mattered." It's profound, isn't it? Editor: Very profound. It makes me wonder what my Instagram selfies will tell future historians about my existence. Hmm... perhaps I need to adopt a more dignified pose from now on! Curator: Perhaps! Thanks for sharing your insights. Editor: Anytime! It's always interesting to see old ghosts anew.