Blad 61 uit Stamboek van de leerlingen der Koloniale School voor Meisjes en Vrouwen te 's-Gravenhage deel II (1930-1949) Possibly 1934 - 1939

This ledger page from a Colonial School for Girls and Women in the Hague, dating from between 1930 and 1949, is a fascinating peep into the lives of young women. Imagine the anonymous creator meticulously documenting each student, inking their names, places of origin, and status with a fine nib. Sympathetic to the task, I imagine the artist feeling a sense of duty to carefully create a kind of archive. The writing is elegant and efficient, and is offset by pasted photographs and little drawings. The formal entries are enlivened by little intimate details, like someone trying out a new signature, or the addition of a wedding photo. These personal annotations feel so tender, like a subtle assertion of individuality within the confines of an institution. This ledger, with its mix of handwriting and photography, reminds us of the many ways we record and construct our identities. It’s a reminder that even within bureaucratic forms, there's room for self-expression and connection.