Bloem van de giftige Bella Donna 1900 - 1935

Editor: Here we have "Bloem van de giftige Bella Donna," a photograph, likely created between 1900 and 1935, by Neville Keasberry. There is a striking sense of depth created by the stereoscopic composition, and the poisonous flower almost seems to glow. What stands out to you about this photograph? Curator: Well, immediately the title arrests me. Bella Donna, or deadly nightshade, has a rich and complex history laden with connotations of femininity, witchcraft, and, of course, death. This work reminds us of the way botanical knowledge was often intertwined with cultural anxieties and power dynamics, especially regarding women. Editor: Power dynamics? In a flower photograph? Curator: Absolutely! Consider the time. Early 20th-century photography, especially pictorialism, like we see here, was striving for artistic recognition. Keasberry choosing this specific, symbolically charged flower, isn’t just about aesthetics. He's making a statement about beauty, danger, and perhaps even the subversive potential found in the natural world and, by extension, the feminine. Editor: So, you are saying that he's using this flower as a symbol of empowerment? Curator: Empowerment, or perhaps just the acknowledgement of a potent force. Consider the colonial context. Keasberry worked in Malang, Java. The appropriation and representation of local flora by colonial powers often served to exert control and knowledge. But perhaps there is also an effort here to reclaim the narrative, showing the intrinsic power residing within this 'giftige' flower, subverting the objectification. Does seeing it this way change your perception? Editor: It definitely makes me consider it with a new level of awareness. Thanks for broadening my perspective! Curator: My pleasure! It’s through such considerations that we unravel the layers of meaning embedded within seemingly simple photographs.