Willem Witsen c. 1860 - 1915

Editor: Here we have a gelatin-silver print, a portrait of Willem Witsen, dated sometime between 1860 and 1915. The mood feels very…contained, almost secretive, wouldn’t you say? What captures your attention when you look at this photograph? Curator: It’s funny you say "secretive" – I see a quiet strength, the kind that comes from knowing yourself deeply. The muted tones contribute to this. Look at the way his figure emerges from the dark backdrop. There's an incredible stillness. What do you make of his attire? Editor: I notice the formal suit. It definitely suggests a man of his time, but does it hint at his profession or social standing, or perhaps his psychology? Curator: Well, Witsen was an artist himself, from a wealthy family, very involved in artistic circles in Amsterdam. This portrait, in its formality, hints at the conventions of the time, but maybe there’s also a slight resistance there, a sense of an artist observing himself, slightly detached. The gaze feels very direct, what does that say to you? Editor: It makes me wonder what he's thinking! Maybe questioning the very act of posing for a photograph. It's as if he's seeing *us*, too. I find it interesting how photography at the time walks this tightrope between formality and revealing inner character. It does make me wonder though, are we just projecting? Curator: Absolutely. Isn't that the beauty of it? We bring ourselves to these images and find a conversation waiting. I will carry away with me that "seeing us". That feeling, that's gold! Thank you. Editor: I'm definitely seeing more nuance now. The stillness, the subtle resistance…it's much richer than I initially perceived.