Studioportret van Guus Kessler op jeugdige leeftijd in een wit matrozenpakje 1891 - 1895

Curator: The photo has a somber and melancholic tone that is also gentle. The child looks passive but has his gaze toward the left, outside of the frame. The limited tonal range in the blacks and whites emphasizes its timeless quality. Editor: That's a sensitive reading. The photo you're describing is entitled "Studio Portrait of Guus Kessler as a Young Boy in a White Sailor Suit," dating from somewhere between 1891 and 1895. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum and it’s a wonderful example of early portrait photography. Curator: Guus looks less than thrilled to be in that sailor suit! But something about the framing, his expression, pulls you in, like a memory struggling to surface. Editor: Sailor suits were very common among upper-class families during this era; these images reflect how societal norms are embedded in images that reflect race, class and identity markers. They signified respectability and a certain social status. This kind of photography was only just emerging and its role was less to tell a 'truthful' narrative and more to establish one, particularly relating to ideas about family. Curator: Do you think he knew he was helping create that narrative? Or was he just wondering when he could get back to playing? Childhood feels like something being performed. Editor: That performativity is definitely part of it, although, I can't help but also reflect upon what these rigid representations might do to people. Curator: Yes, they make you think of that pre-WWI era where everything was structured and ready for rupture. Editor: Absolutely, which makes this seemingly straightforward portrait more profound. Thanks for helping me look at it anew! Curator: It was my pleasure, seeing history with you is such a rewarding exploration!