Jas van J.R. Thorbecke c. 1850

Editor: Here we have "Jas van J.R. Thorbecke", dating back to around 1850. It's currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. It looks to be a photograph depicting an academic style suit. What's most interesting is how this very ordinary item speaks of craftsmanship, wealth, and society. What are your thoughts? Curator: Precisely. It's easy to overlook the labor embedded in such an object. The materials themselves – the wool, linen, and the metallic thread in the embellishments – speak volumes about trade networks and colonial extraction of raw goods at the time. Consider the tailoring: someone meticulously cut, sewed, and fitted this garment. Do you think about who would've been involved in the creation of this jacket? Editor: I do. That's what's interesting! So much handwork went into its creation. It makes me wonder about the value placed on craft versus artistic creation at the time. It seems that so much work should be considered artistic too. Curator: Absolutely. And think about the social implications. Thorbecke was a prominent statesman. This isn't just clothing; it's a symbol of power, meticulously constructed to project an image of authority. The very act of commissioning such a tailored garment implies a certain social standing, doesn’t it? And it reinforces those divisions too. Editor: It’s fascinating how a simple garment can reveal so much about the economic and social structures of the time. I definitely have a new appreciation for it! Curator: Agreed. Thinking about art through the lens of its materials and production opens up entirely new avenues for understanding history and culture. It really highlights how clothing, especially, reinforces the boundaries and inequalities of society.