Portret van een jonge man in kostuum met zwaard, aangeduid als B.J.D. Zubli 1850 - 1900

Editor: So here we have "Portrait of a Young Man in Costume with Sword, Referred to as B.J.D. Zubli," a gelatin silver print from somewhere between 1850 and 1900, credited to E. Visser von Weeren. It gives me a sense of theater, like a character in a play waiting in the wings. What strikes you about this photograph? Curator: Oh, I love that feeling of the wings, yes. For me, it’s the performative aspect that leaps out. Think about it – photography was still relatively new then, a bit of a novelty. To pose like this, in costume, wasn’t just documentation; it was crafting an image, maybe even an aspiration. Who was B.J.D. Zubli really? Was he an actor? A history buff? Or someone dreaming of being a swashbuckling hero? It tickles the imagination, doesn't it? I want to ask him where he got the costume from, do you think it was from a shop? Editor: It certainly wasn't off the rack! It’s fascinating to think about how self-aware people were becoming with image-making at this point. There's a deliberate "historical" look but also the unmistakable air of someone playing dress-up. The sepia tones really cement that sense of the past, too. Curator: Precisely! It's history seen through a very particular lens, romanticized and, dare I say, filtered. And the sword – it isn't just an accessory; it is a statement. A symbol of power, adventure, maybe even rebellion. I wonder, what does the sword symbolize to you? Does it speak of heroism, or perhaps something more ambiguous? Editor: I think it’s a bit of both – a dash of heroism mixed with the potential for conflict and maybe even a hint of danger. It definitely adds to that feeling of stepping into a role. Curator: Wonderful! Seeing this photograph and reflecting together is such a rich journey, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely. I'll definitely think twice about portraiture after this! Thanks!