Gezelschap in een roeiboot van Hotel Wijkerburg, Voorburg before 1894

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, taken before 1894 by Hendrik Herman van den Berg, is called "Gezelschap in een roeiboot van Hotel Wijkerburg, Voorburg," which translates to "Company in a Rowboat of Hotel Wijkerburg, Voorburg." I'm struck by how posed and almost theatrical everyone seems, even amidst what appears to be a leisurely activity. What do you see in this piece that speaks to the social dynamics of the time? Curator: This image offers a fascinating snapshot into the leisure activities of the late 19th century, particularly the performance of social class. Notice the umbrellas, protecting delicate complexions from the sun. It speaks volumes about gendered expectations and the accessibility of leisure. Who was included, and perhaps more importantly, excluded from such scenes? Editor: That’s a great point about the umbrellas and social exclusion. I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Think about the rise of photography as a medium too. How does its growing accessibility shape the way people document and, perhaps, idealize their lives? Consider this: who typically controls the narrative and whose stories are more often seen? Does this image confirm or challenge existing social hierarchies? Editor: It definitely feels staged to project a certain image. Perhaps to present themselves as cultured and well-off. But there’s also a sense of fragility, maybe in the knowledge that they’re crafting a specific representation. Curator: Exactly. And how might this pursuit of representation relate to contemporary concerns around social media and constructed identities? The pursuit for the ideal self may be different now, but what if some issues remain fundamentally the same? Editor: So, in a way, they're performing their social roles for the camera, much like we perform them online today? I’ll definitely think about the intersection of photography, social class, and performance. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Reflecting on how the dynamics of representation then can inform our understanding of power and identity now is key. This image shows us just how durable issues about identity can be across generations.