Schaatsende mensen bij de ijsclub van Kralingen in Rotterdam 1879 - 1910

Editor: This gelatin silver print, titled "Skaters at the Kralingen Ice Club in Rotterdam," is from between 1879 and 1910. It has a remarkably everyday feel to it. A group of people, dressed in what I imagine was typical clothing of the time, are on a frozen stretch of water. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s a fascinating snapshot of leisure and social life. These images were often circulated as stereo cards, offering viewers a sort of proto-virtual reality experience of other places and cultures. This particular image strikes me as quite telling about class and access in Rotterdam at the time. Editor: In what ways? Curator: Well, who had the leisure time and means to participate in activities like ice skating, and further, to purchase or view such photographs? How does the burgeoning industry of photography democratize or reinforce existing social structures? And think about the Ice Club itself – what did it mean to be a member, who was excluded? It seems to tell us as much about who *isn't* in the picture as who is. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, but now I’m wondering who had the ability to represent themselves through photography. Curator: Exactly. These genre scenes, seemingly capturing everyday life, were carefully constructed and disseminated. What purpose did they serve, beyond mere documentation? Editor: It really brings home the idea that even a seemingly candid photo like this one has a political context and is showing only part of a larger narrative. Thanks for the insight! Curator: My pleasure! Considering the cultural context behind any image can certainly shift how we receive it.