Twee meisjes achter een bureau 1900 - 1935

Editor: Here we have "Twee meisjes achter een bureau," or "Two Girls Behind a Desk," a gelatin-silver print taken sometime between 1900 and 1935 by an unknown photographer. The sheer volume of papers really strikes me. It makes me wonder, what do you see in this photograph? Curator: What immediately captures my attention is the socio-historical context. This photograph, though seemingly simple, offers a glimpse into the evolving role of women in the workforce during the early 20th century. These women are caught amidst what appears to be administrative labor, which at the time was seen as revolutionary for women who previously were confined to domestic roles. Note also the date... 1900 to 1935... we are not far away from WW2 which would definitively impact on women's access to the workforce. Does that time frame evoke any further questions for you? Editor: Yes, definitely! I didn't initially consider the broader societal shifts. Thinking about the women, I guess I’m curious about the narrative of female labour, because seeing them working makes it seems normalized... but was it? Was there resistance or commentary? Curator: Absolutely. While this image may seem innocuous, the quiet visibility of these women is a form of activism, or, perhaps more appropriately, resistance to a society which often didn’t recognize women as workers. Images like this quietly documented women's entrance into different professional spheres, subtly challenging prevailing gender norms. Furthermore, the use of gelatin silver print itself reflects technological advancements that broadened the scope and accessibility of photographic practices and who was pictured. It asks us to consider questions about gender and access. Editor: That's fascinating; I hadn't considered it in that way at all. Curator: These "genre paintings" give insight into women’s professional reality at that time and remind us of all of the work left to do in ensuring that gender equality is front and center in every sphere. Editor: This photo seemed simple initially, but seeing it as a statement about the changing role of women is much more engaging. Thanks for your perspectives.