Portret van een kind, aangeduid als het kind van P.T. Dekker 1870 - 1878

Editor: So, here we have an albumen print from between 1870 and 1878, a portrait of a child attributed to Jan Breebaard, titled "Portret van een kind, aangeduid als het kind van P.T. Dekker." The image is sweet, but also strangely formal. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Looking at this portrait, I'm struck by the complex layers of representation. In the 1870s, photography was gaining traction, but was far from democratic. It speaks volumes about class and social standing when someone commissioned a portrait of their child, doesn't it? How might this single image of a child intersect with discussions around privilege? Editor: That's a good point. I hadn't really considered the economics of photography at the time. So, the mere existence of this photo suggests a certain level of wealth? Curator: Exactly. This image acts as evidence. It can speak to a whole history of class, access, and even the performance of identity through portraiture. Think about how carefully this child was dressed and posed. Does the child appear comfortable? Editor: No, actually, the child looks a little uncomfortable, even stiff. Curator: Right. And what does that discomfort tell us about the expectations placed upon children, especially in a patriarchal society? What other dynamics do you think we could analyse from this single portrait? Editor: Well, perhaps also ideas around innocence, gender…and the emerging field of child psychology at the time. It gives me a lot to think about. Curator: Precisely. It’s a starting point for so many possible explorations of the intersectional context of the late 19th century. It is far more than a pretty picture of a baby. Editor: This has totally changed how I look at the artwork. Thanks so much!