Portret van een zittend echtpaar 1896 - 1913

Peter Clausing created this portrait of a seated couple using a gelatin silver print. Clausing, who lived from 1870 to 1913, operated his studio during a time of significant societal transformation. Consider the formality of the portrait, the man in his suit, and the woman holding what appears to be a prayer book. What do these carefully constructed images convey about their identities and aspirations? How do they wish to be remembered by future generations? It seems the couple are presenting themselves in a way that emphasizes respectability and piety. Photography during this era was not merely about documentation; it was a deliberate act of self-representation, particularly for marginalized communities seeking to assert their place in society. The photograph becomes a space where traditional roles are both performed and subtly renegotiated, inviting us to consider the complexities of identity and representation at the turn of the century.