Isabel Wachenheimer in een gestreepte ochtendjas 1931 - 1937

Editor: So, here we have a gelatin silver print, a photograph by Isabel Wachenheimer, created sometime between 1931 and 1937, titled "Isabel Wachenheimer in een gestreepte ochtendjas," or "Isabel Wachenheimer in a Striped Morning Coat." It shows two almost identical portraits on one sheet, a young girl in what appears to be a striped dressing gown. What do you see in this image, Professor? Curator: Well, immediately, the doubling draws my attention. Repetition, especially in portraiture, is rarely just about documentation. It’s a symbolic echoing. What feeling does it evoke for you? Does the similarity suggest continuity, or does the slight variation hint at a fractured sense of self, or a self in progress? Editor: It’s a little unsettling. The photos are so similar, yet they aren’t perfect copies. There's a shadow on the wall, details shifted in the background, slight shifts in her expression... Is this intended to mean something? Curator: Absolutely. Striped patterns often symbolize duality, conflicting forces, even the passage of time itself. Her youth contrasts the gravity of the period. I wonder if this duality represents the known stability of childhood threatened by impending historical events in the '30s. What do you think of her gaze? Editor: Her gaze is what keeps drawing me back. It’s not quite direct; she seems to be looking slightly past the viewer. It adds a sense of detachment. I hadn’t really considered how much history this photo contains. Curator: Consider then how photography became increasingly popular for capturing not just likeness but psychological insight as well. The doubling and subtle variations create layers, allowing viewers to delve into identity and the weight of a specific cultural memory. Editor: So much to think about here, it really gives me a new perspective on this picture! Thank you.