Studioportret van man in uniform bij dressoir 1880 - 1920

Curator: This photograph, titled "Studioportret van man in uniform bij dressoir," was taken between 1880 and 1920 and is currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a gelatin-silver print depicting a man in uniform. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the stoicism in his posture. It's like he’s consciously embodying this stern masculinity, very deliberate. What do you see when you look at him? Curator: Well, beyond the individual, I consider how portraiture functioned in the late 19th century. Military uniforms are frequently about establishing social position and expressing a particular type of political ideology. It also looks at codes around gender, which I think you picked up on already. How are ideals of masculinity constructed and reinforced? Editor: Absolutely. And the way he rests his hand on the small table—almost possessively. There's this quiet assertiveness, contrasting with the photograph's formality. Curator: Right. Consider, too, the context: European colonialism was at its peak, and the military was closely involved in maintaining it. Looking at the sword at his side we can understand something more about the performance of power at that moment. The objects are telling a deeper story. Editor: A heavy story! Though I also find a curious sort of vulnerability in his eyes, it makes me think about his life before and after this pose. This singular carefully crafted version of himself seems unsustainable. Do you think we impose too much contemporary meaning onto old photographs? Curator: It’s more that the past and present inform each other. Our awareness of today’s social landscape is obviously going to reshape the way we analyze past eras. Bringing fresh questions encourages revisiting dominant historical narratives and revealing hidden histories. It’s essential! Editor: Hidden histories, exactly. Next time I’m in the Rijksmuseum, I’ll look at this and wonder about those silent narratives waiting to be brought to life. What will you be pondering, as we move on? Curator: This portrait is a powerful visual record reflecting broader socio-political contexts and how intersectional theories are indispensable tools for unpacking complicated historical power dynamics. Thank you.