Twee mannen in klederdracht (waarvan één in vrouwenkleding) aan een water c. 1900 - 1910

This photograph by G. Hidderley depicts two figures in traditional Dutch clothing standing by the water. While seemingly straightforward, the image complicates notions of identity through its subtle disruptions. One figure is dressed in what appears to be women’s attire. The presence of this figure invites us to consider the fluidity of gender expression within historical contexts. How might this playful cross-dressing challenge the rigid social norms of the time, and what does it tell us about the performance of identity? Photographs like these offer a window into understanding that gender is not always fixed. They provide alternative narratives that can be overlooked in mainstream historical accounts. As you consider this photograph, reflect on the ways that clothing and appearance can both affirm and subvert expectations. Think about how we all perform our identities every day.