Portret van de actrice Jennifer Jones c. 1945 - 1960

Curator: Right, let's talk about this portrait. It’s a gelatin silver print, likely taken sometime between 1945 and 1960. It portrays the actress Jennifer Jones. Editor: It feels almost like a whisper of old Hollywood glamor. She’s turned slightly away, lost in thought perhaps, and the high contrast gives her a haunting quality, don’t you think? A mix of melancholy and poise. Curator: The photographic style really embodies that era’s fascination with celebrity. Consider Jones’s public persona then—a major star, intensely scrutinized. This image becomes another layer of that constructed image, polished and yet hinting at something deeper, perhaps unattainable. Editor: Absolutely, that perfectly coiffed hair and the pearls… they’re the armor of a movie star. But look at her eyes. There's a softness that undercuts all the artifice. The lighting softens her features but leaves you to wonder what this image signifies to Jennifer Jones herself, in Hollywood or even to her fans. Curator: The signature adds an interesting layer as well. It’s deliberately placed, transforming the portrait into a memento, an object intended for public consumption, meant for display and fan admiration. It underscores the marketing strategies within the Hollywood system and, more widely, how celebrities connect to the public image making them iconic stars. Editor: Exactly! It reminds me of a little piece of cinematic history that you can carry around. Looking at it I find myself wondering what movies and studio drama surrounded this woman. In black and white like this, all of that complexity just floats up off the surface! It certainly makes one pause, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: I completely concur!