Twee portretten van Loentje Onnen en Ella Uhlenbeck Possibly 1911 - 1912

Editor: Here we have "Two Portraits of Loentje Onnen and Ella Uhlenbeck," possibly from 1911 or 1912. They’re sepia photographs, so that gives them a wonderfully vintage feel. The women are very poised and self-assured, wouldn't you agree? I am curious, what’s your take on this work? Curator: Poised is definitely the word. It's more than just a couple of snapshots, isn’t it? They offer glimpses into the lives and the attitudes of women at the dawn of modernism. This feels deeply personal; each portrait capturing a particular moment in the sitter's life, yet, somehow, also universally relatable. Do you pick up on that universality as well? Editor: Yes, absolutely. I suppose it's the almost casual feel of them, but I still wonder what's outside the frame... Who do you think would have taken these photographs? Curator: That's where it gets interesting! My gut tells me these weren't taken by a professional. Perhaps a friend, maybe even one of the women took the other's picture, if they knew the mechanism well. Look at the framing, the use of light, and shadow - it’s like the photographer sought to capture not just their likenesses but something of their essence, you know? The background isn't perfect, they chose what seemed more comfortable or familiar than striving for 'artful,' almost like they’re whispering secrets we are struggling to overhear… or even worse, we caught them gossiping when they thought no one was looking. Do you think it gives a more familiar touch to it? Editor: That really hits home and casts the photograph in a completely different light for me, haha! I thought this might have just been about people looking all dolled up in the photo studio and showing off, but it seems the intent runs a bit deeper than I previously thought. Curator: Precisely! We're all guilty of striking that pose from time to time, aren't we? And isn't it fascinating to imagine the stories behind these images and maybe find parallels to our lives today. The idea of these 'secrets' being whispered in what amounts to everyday shots helps us connect to the photo and their lives in unexpected and profound ways, like catching up with a dear friend for coffee.