Portret van Charles Frederick Worth, modeontwerper te Parijs 1870 - 1880

Curator: Let's look at this photograph. It’s a portrait of Charles Frederick Worth, the Parisian fashion designer, dating from the 1870s-80s. The photographer is Charles Reutlinger, and the medium, photography, gives the piece a certain feel of authenticity, right? Editor: It does. The oval frame makes it feel very classic, but also slightly formal. What strikes me is his gaze, almost confrontational. What do you see in this piece, beyond a simple portrait? Curator: I see power. Worth, as a male figure in the female-dominated world of haute couture, really re-defined fashion houses. He practically invented the concept of the designer brand, but more than that, this photograph represents a particular moment when capitalist structures intersected with gendered labour. It's not just a portrait of a man; it is a symbol of constructed gender roles in an industrializing world. Notice, for instance, how his attire mimics the look of a military man. Why do you think Reutlinger chose to present Worth this way? Editor: Perhaps to legitimize his role, or assert dominance in his field? It does make one question the entire system. Curator: Exactly. This image prompts questions about the relationships between creator, consumer, and commodity, specifically related to class, labour, and gender. To go even further: think about who was photographed versus who wasn't in those days. Editor: So it speaks to the very exclusive and exclusionary nature of high society at that time? I hadn’t thought about that at first. This gives me much to consider. Thank you. Curator: It’s been a pleasure! Let’s remember to consider how art serves to reproduce, reflect, or even resist the power dynamics within the broader society.