Portret van een onbekende man en vrouw met duiven op het San Marcoplein te Venetië c. 1910 - 1920

Editor: This photograph, a gelatin silver print by G. Lorigiola titled "Portret van een onbekende man en vrouw met duiven op het San Marcoplein te Venetië," dating from around 1910 to 1920, really captures a moment in time. It’s incredibly still and posed, almost like a painting. What symbols or deeper meanings do you observe in this photograph? Curator: Well, let’s begin with the birds, since there are so many! In Western art, doves, closely related to pigeons, often represent peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit. Here, in such abundance, almost obscuring the couple, are they symbolic of something beyond tranquility? Is it a reflection of societal abundance, a commentary on humanity's relationship with nature, or even a touch of vanity of an elite couple amidst a famous backdrop? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the possibility that their abundance might hold significance. It appears like a pretty typical touristy activity in Venice. Curator: Yes, the ‘snapshot’ seems quite ordinary for tourists; yet even those repeated activities build and hold cultural significance, almost a ritual. Note how stiffly the couple poses amidst the apparent chaos of the birds. It creates a tension. Do you get a sense the photographer also captured a narrative, something that comments on performance and even class? What does Venice mean to you as a setting? Editor: It's a bit melancholic, perhaps because of the muted tones. Considering Venice, a city already heavy with history and associations, do you think the photographer meant to create a statement on temporality, as if nothing lasts forever? Curator: That's a compelling observation! Perhaps Lorigiola uses the ephemeral nature of the tourist moment, juxtaposed with the permanence of Venice and symbolic doves, to invite reflection. Our memory creates continuity across those spans of time. Editor: I never considered it that way. Now I see more to it than just a photograph. Thank you.