"This parting gives me pain, dear." (11918) c. 1876

Curator: This stereo card, titled "This parting gives me pain, dear," presents a glimpse into domestic life, sometime around 1897. There's a performative aspect here, wouldn't you agree? Editor: It does feel like a stage. Look at how the textures of the wallpaper contrast with the plain white cloth, almost like a backdrop. Is it a studio? Curator: It certainly raises questions about gender roles and expectations. The man, half-dressed, plays the part of the reluctant one. Editor: Note the dress the woman is wearing. The way it drapes suggests the way clothing was produced, and who it was produced for, at this time in history. Curator: The image invites us to consider the dynamics of the relationship. Is this playful banter, or does it hint at deeper societal pressures? Editor: And the shoes discarded on the floor! They could almost be sculptures themselves. Curator: It’s a brief but poignant tableau. Editor: A tableau of objects speaking to daily life.