Portret van Saharet, reclame voor Orion W. Lemer 1895 - 1910

Editor: This photograph, "Portret van Saharet, reclame voor Orion W. Lemer" was taken sometime between 1895 and 1910 by Charles Reutlinger. It’s currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The advertisement really jumps out at you, the composition feels so modern even though it’s over a century old. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: I'm fascinated by the cultural performance captured in this photograph. Look at the woman’s gaze: knowing, engaging, slightly defiant. This "Saharet" becomes a symbol—a siren perhaps, tempting the viewer with the allure of the product, "Orion W. Lemer." What do you make of her gaze? Editor: There’s definitely something captivating, like she is revealing something to the viewer through the photograph. The image feels theatrical almost, she looks so made up and has a costume. Curator: Precisely! And consider the era. The late 19th, early 20th century was a time of significant shifts in social norms. Women, especially performers, were becoming powerful figures. This photograph plays with that emergent female agency, encoding her image with an aura of modern desire and commercial appeal. See the costume? She's exotic, theatrical. But it's her eyes that are really selling the product and maybe even selling the possibilities of modernity. It's a very potent combination, what do you think? Editor: It makes me consider who this woman really was behind the name. Being an actress during the era sounds complicated to say the least. Thanks for making that connection with her and this image to the modernity of that era! Curator: And the interplay of commerce and image makes it even more relevant today. A reminder that every image, particularly in advertising, carries a heavy load of cultural and psychological symbolism.