Gezelschappen en portretten c. 1914 - 1925

Editor: This mixed-media work, “Gezelschappen en portretten,” or “Companies and Portraits,” created between 1914 and 1925, presents what looks like an album page containing a variety of portrait photographs. There’s a somewhat melancholic tone evoked by the monochrome images, compounded by their candid style. How do you interpret the assembly of these photographic portraits in terms of social history? Curator: It's fascinating how the simple act of compiling a photo album becomes a powerful act of constructing memory and identity. In what ways might these photographs act as visual records of social and familial relationships, reflecting the values and ideals of the time? I would suggest focusing on elements, such as the subjects' clothing or posing; do they tell us something about the individuals portrayed? Editor: That's a keen observation. Thinking about their clothes, the first photo shows a large group, possibly on holiday in 1914 as indicated by a note. What does their casual wear reveal, especially contrasted against the more formal portraits? Curator: Exactly. The formal portraits could signal the sitters' adherence to social conventions and respectability. Considering this was during and shortly after World War I, might these collected portraits function as a way to hold onto those bonds during turbulent times? Editor: It’s so interesting how each photo can carry a message or sentiment that would contribute to a collective memory in this book! Now I wonder who created this personal history… I’d like to dive deeper into portraiture albums of the early 20th century.