Een scène uit het toneelstuk 'Wat Jonas overkwam' Possibly 1936

This photograph of a scene from the play 'Wat Jonas overkwam' was captured by Fotobureau Stevens. Photography, like theatre, is a medium of careful construction and, in this case, mass production. Black and white film renders the scene in stark relief. The materiality of the clothing worn by the actors is critical; these fabrics suggest class and status. Consider the sheen of a beaded gown against the plainness of a servant’s dress, each made by unseen hands working in textile mills and sweatshops. Even the set, complete with carefully arranged props, contributes to the illusion of reality. The photographer's ability to freeze a moment in time and reproduce it endlessly speaks to the growing power of industry and its ability to shape not just objects, but also our perceptions. In this sense, photography and theatre both participate in the wider social issues of labor and consumption. They create a world that is both real and artificial, a world that reflects and shapes our desires.