Groep op tennisclub L.T.C. Quick-Advantage, Gerard Aalbersberg zittend links 1906 - 1909

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, "Groep op tennisclub L.T.C. Quick-Advantage, Gerard Aalbersberg zittend links," was taken sometime between 1906 and 1909. I’m struck by how formally everyone is dressed for a sporting event; it almost feels like a staged portrait. What does this photograph communicate to you about the culture of sport at the time? Curator: It’s precisely that formality that interests me. The image provides a window into the socio-political dynamics of early 20th-century sport. Tennis wasn't just a game; it was a public performance, reflecting societal hierarchies. Note how clothing signifies social status: dark suits versus pristine whites, indicating participant roles. Consider who is centered and who is placed on the periphery – what statements might that positioning make? Editor: That's a great point about the visual hierarchy. I hadn't thought about it in terms of a power dynamic being communicated. Do you think this staged aspect detracts from its authenticity as a document of leisure? Curator: "Authenticity" is a tricky word here. Photographs, even those appearing candid, are always constructed. This image tells us less about the spontaneous joy of sport, perhaps, and more about the performative aspect of social identity within a specific class. The setting and posing deliberately constructed a certain image, that also communicates social norms around gender and status, in sport. Editor: That's fascinating! So, the value isn’t in what it shows of tennis itself, but what it reveals about the society hosting the tennis match. I'll definitely look at photographs in a new light from now on. Curator: Precisely! It prompts us to think critically about how public image and cultural values intertwined. This photograph helps to deepen our comprehension of that complex past.