Portret van een man, een vrouw en een jongen Possibly 1893 - 1895

Editor: So, here we have a gelatin-silver print, a photograph entitled "Portret van een man, een vrouw en een jongen" – Portrait of a man, a woman, and a boy – created sometime between 1893 and 1895 by Bissinger & Dittmann. It gives me such a serious, almost stoic, vibe. What catches your eye about this group portrait? Curator: That seriousness, that's precisely what resonates with me! It whispers of a time when photography was a weighty affair, both literally and figuratively. Imagine sitting for what felt like ages! But beyond the historical weight, I see a study in relationships. Notice how the father's hand rests protectively on the boy’s shoulder, while the mother's hand gently holds his. Do you feel a sense of hierarchy, or maybe… something else? Editor: I see the protection, but I also see a stiffness, like they are aware of being perceived. Is it the formality of the era that creates this distance, you think? Curator: Precisely! It's a performance of family, not just a portrayal. This photograph offers more than just a visual record, but an emotional atmosphere created with light, with poses, with backdrops… and how that manufactured vision contrasts with reality, then and now. It feels like a secret door to another time, wouldn't you say? Editor: I think so. Considering all the factors, this image helps give a peek into not just appearances but also how life was for families. Thanks for elaborating! Curator: Absolutely! It’s been a treat to explore these layers with you!