Bierdrinken 1940 - 1943

This is an anonymous photograph titled 'Bierdrinken,' or 'Drinking Beer,' housed in an album at the Rijksmuseum. Without a known artist or date, the image becomes a historical artifact, inviting us to consider the social rituals of beer drinking in a particular time and place. The black and white snapshot aesthetic suggests a moment of informal gathering, perhaps among friends or comrades. The photograph hints at the cultural significance of alcohol in male bonding, and how these environments often become stages for performing masculinity. What narratives are woven in these spaces, who is included, and who is excluded? While seemingly simple, 'Bierdrinken' prompts us to reflect on the ways shared experiences shape individual and collective identities. The lack of identifying information turns it into a mirror, asking us to examine our own assumptions about camaraderie, leisure, and representation.