Portret van een staande man met hoge hoed in de hand bij een stoel, aangeduid als D[.] Jenner 1860 - 1894

Curator: Here we have a rather stately portrait. It's titled "Portret van een staande man met hoge hoed in de hand bij een stoel, aangeduid als D[.] Jenner," which translates to "Portrait of a standing man with a top hat in hand near a chair, designated as D[.] Jenner." It was taken sometime between 1860 and 1894 by Ghémar Frères. Editor: My first impression is... well, constrained. Everything feels so deliberate, the pose, the light, even the faded sepia tones contribute to this overwhelming sense of formal reserve. It almost feels… staged, and yet… Curator: The rigidity absolutely speaks to the photographic conventions of the time, where longer exposure times demanded stillness. This is further complicated by the burgeoning middle classes that wanted their portrait done in that fashion, appropriating traditions exclusive of aristocracy to reflect new identities. Editor: Precisely. Look at how he is grasping the chair, just barely touching it. And the hat…it’s more of a prop than something he'd actually wear, don't you think? As though they're tools of aspiration, and they're working quite well here. It almost creates a sense of otherness, of aspiration, of… almost performative dignity. What is this "D[.] Jenner" reaching for? Curator: Perhaps legitimacy. This photograph isn't just a representation; it's a claim, a statement of belonging within a rapidly evolving social landscape. It begs questions: Who was considered worthy of representation, and who controlled those narratives? It’s impossible not to look through contemporary understandings of race, gender and social mobility while regarding 19th century artifacts like this. Editor: I agree wholeheartedly. There's this underlying tension, and in the way Ghémar Frères captures it with their camera, you’re witnessing social forces etched onto a man’s face. He has such an intent expression. Curator: It's a poignant snapshot of an era grappling with identity and status. So, is "D[.] Jenner" successful? Does he pass our "test" of appearing powerful and wealthy? Editor: Oh, I think that depends entirely on who's doing the judging and when they're doing the judging. Curator: True, true. Perhaps a fitting question to ponder on as we move onward!