Reisalbum met foto's van bezienswaardigheden in Italië, Zwitserland en Nederlands-Indië c. 1860 - 1900

Editor: Here we have a mixed-media piece, "Reisalbum met foto's van bezienswaardigheden in Italië, Zwitserland en Nederlands-Indië," a travel album with photographs of landmarks in Italy, Switzerland, and the Dutch East Indies, made by diverse makers between approximately 1860 and 1900. It has such a quiet, unassuming presence for a work that probably holds so many rich stories within. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, absolutely. For me, it's the 'silent witness' quality it exudes. Think of the hands that have turned those pages, the eyes that have lingered on those faded albumen prints. This isn’t just a collection of images; it's a portal, a tangible connection to a very different world seen through the eyes of a 19th-century traveler. Doesn't it make you wonder what kind of person would assemble such a diverse collection, flitting between European grandeur and the exotic landscapes of the Dutch East Indies? Editor: It does! Were these kinds of albums common back then? Curator: Popular, certainly, amongst a certain class. Photography was becoming more accessible, but still held a certain allure. Think of these albums as the Victorian equivalent of curated Instagram feeds – carefully selected images designed to showcase taste, experiences, and a certain worldly sophistication. But unlike Instagram, each album was unique, reflecting the specific journey and interests of its owner. A physical object that really holds a specific time. Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way. It feels almost… voyeuristic, peering into someone else's travels from so long ago. Curator: Precisely! And isn't that part of the thrill? It is a delicate tension to be held. It's a dance between respecting the past and allowing ourselves to be transported, touched, perhaps even challenged by it. A reminder that travel, even in its earliest forms, has always been about shaping narratives, both for ourselves and for others. I learned new ways of viewing art! Editor: This really reshapes how I view these older works, too. I was hesitant to look closer, now, I could study it for days.