Wilhelmina van Zijll de Jong en Henriëtte Wassink met een hond 1933 - 1935

Editor: Here we have a photograph from around 1933-1935, entitled "Wilhelmina van Zijll de Jong en Henriëtte Wassink met een hond." It strikes me as a really intimate portrait, capturing a sense of domestic life. What do you see in this piece, particularly within its historical context? Curator: This photograph speaks volumes about the evolving roles and representations of women in the early 20th century. Look closely. We see Wilhelmina and Henriëtte not posed formally in a studio, but in what appears to be a domestic setting, a private space. Who do you think might have taken this photograph? A partner, a close friend? Editor: That’s a great point! It could have been another woman, offering a rare female gaze. Curator: Precisely. It allows for a representation free from the conventional male perspective that often objectified women. Moreover, consider the presence of the dog, not merely as a pet, but almost as a companion or family member. The bond with animals and its increasing acknowledgement in photography reveals shifts in societal values. Do you see an undercurrent of intimacy in this piece that resists strict societal norms? Editor: I do. There's a tenderness, a relaxed atmosphere that feels radical in its own quiet way. The photo transcends a mere recording; it suggests a deep emotional connection. Curator: Absolutely! This image participates in the visual vocabulary around ‘Intimism,’ doesn’t it? It reflects how people claimed their personal spaces, relationships and desires within broader shifts of societal change. The photograph stands as a visual assertion of personal identity and choice, particularly in a period undergoing social and political transformation. It serves as a subtle statement about freedom and self-expression. Editor: I never thought about photography as an act of self-expression and agency for the LGBTQ community at that time, but it's absolutely fascinating when considered that way. Thanks!