Blad 73 uit Stamboek van de leerlingen der Koloniale School voor Meisjes en Vrouwen te 's-Gravenhage deel II (1930-1949) Possibly 1935 - 1939

Here is the audio guide script for the artwork 'Blad 73 uit Stamboek van de leerlingen der Koloniale School voor Meisjes en Vrouwen te 's-Gravenhage deel II (1930-1949)'. This school register leaf from 1930 to 1949 presents a matrix of handwritten entries, photographic portraits, and official stamps, meticulously arranged on a gridded page. The dominant visual experience is one of structured information, where each cell contains details of students attending the Colonial School for Girls and Women. The composition relies on a stark contrast between the rigidity of the pre-printed lines and the fluid, expressive handwriting. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between institutional control and individual identity. The portraits, interspersed among the text, offer glimpses into the personal lives of the students, yet are contained within the formal structure of the document. The use of black ink on off-white paper underscores the bureaucratic nature of the registry, while the varying handwriting styles hint at the individuality of the clerks. The photographs, acting as semiotic markers of identity, function as a system of signs within the colonial context. These elements invite us to consider the interplay of power, identity, and representation within a historical framework.