Gropius with his father at about the age of 15 months c. 1884

Editor: This is a photograph of Walter Gropius with his father when he was about 15 months old, created by Loescher & Petsch. It's quite small, but the image feels so…stiff, almost like a painting. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Ah, the stoicism of early photography! It’s a fascinating relic. The father's proud gaze, little Walter's uncertain expression… It speaks volumes about societal expectations and the performance of family. Do you feel the weight of that in their poses? Editor: I think so. There's such formality. Curator: Exactly! And consider the photographers; the mark "Königl Hof-Photographen," meaning they were the Royal Court Photographers. This image is more than just a family portrait. It whispers of class, legacy, and a very self-conscious era. Isn't it marvelous how much history can be captured in such a tiny frame?