Groepsportret met Ferdinand de Lesseps in een rijtuig Possibly 1868 - 1875

Curator: This photograph, likely dating from between 1868 and 1875, is titled “Groepsportret met Ferdinand de Lesseps in een rijtuig” which translates to “Group Portrait with Ferdinand de Lesseps in a Carriage.” It's attributed to an anonymous photographer. Editor: It’s immediately striking – the sepia tones give it such an antiquated feel. And look at that carriage packed with people, almost overflowing! It feels so performative. Curator: Indeed, the composition itself speaks to the performative nature of photography at the time. Group portraits, especially with prominent figures like Ferdinand de Lesseps, were carefully constructed to convey a certain image of power and progress. The photograph's purpose goes beyond simple documentation; it becomes a symbolic representation. Editor: Absolutely. I'm also focusing on the materiality. It's not just about who's in the photo, but also how the materials shape its message. The labor involved in producing a photograph like this back then! The glass plate negatives, the chemicals, the printing process. It underscores the value they placed on image making, particularly in relation to progress narratives. De Lesseps himself embodies this. Curator: That’s an excellent point. De Lesseps was a celebrated figure due to his work on the Suez Canal. The image plays into that narrative of engineering prowess and societal advancement, aligning him and his family with a vision of progress through human ingenuity and imperialistic control. Editor: It also makes me think about class, though. The labor of those unseen hands who developed, printed, and sustained the photographic practice versus those who could afford to have such portraits made. It shows what values and hierarchies were upheld through material practices. Curator: That is undeniable. Even the attire, and the selection of a carriage ride as a backdrop, signal affluence and leisure. It implies a controlled and curated representation. Editor: So, this unassuming sepia photograph speaks volumes about the processes behind historical image-making. Curator: Yes, from portraying political power and advancement to exploring the socio-economic contexts behind it, the photograph is rich in insights.