Zonnebaden aan dek 1940 - 1943

Editor: This is "Zonnebaden aan dek," a gelatin-silver print from between 1940 and 1943, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It shows a group of men lounging on the deck of what seems to be a ship. There’s a real sense of camaraderie in this informal portrait. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, it’s easy to view this as a simple photograph, a snapshot of downtime during wartime, perhaps. But the socio-political context adds layers. The anonymous nature of the photographer immediately raises questions about authorship and agency during this period. Who took the photograph, and what were their motivations? Consider also the backdrop: war. Who are these men, what roles were accessible to them at this moment of crisis, and how does this relate to class and gender constructions of wartime heroism and sacrifice? Editor: So, it’s not just a picture of men relaxing; it’s a reflection of the era's social structures? Curator: Precisely. Photography during this period, especially when depicting groups, can become a site where ideas about masculinity, national identity, and social order are reinforced or even subverted. Who gets to be visible? Who is left out of the frame? The act of choosing what to document – or what *not* to document – is inherently political. Editor: I never considered it from that perspective. It makes me rethink how passive viewing can be misleading. Curator: Absolutely. This image provides an opportunity to reflect on power dynamics during wartime and consider the lived experiences of diverse groups within that context. Editor: Thanks for opening my eyes to a broader context. I’ll definitely look at photography differently from now on!