Hendrik Herman met Karel Frederik, Pauline en Lex Holle in het atelier van Hendrik Herman before 1894

This photograph, "Hendrik Herman met Karel Frederik, Pauline en Lex Holle in het atelier van Hendrik Herman," was taken by Hendrik Herman van den Berg in his studio. The photograph offers a glimpse into the social dynamics and artistic practices of the early 20th century. At first glance, we see a group of individuals posed informally, in what appears to be a playful tableau vivant. Yet, the composition hints at deeper cultural undercurrents. The presence of props like the fan, headscarves, and draped fabrics suggests an interest in performance and constructed identity. Consider the studio itself—a space where identities are consciously crafted and staged. Van den Berg’s studio becomes a stage for exploring the complexities of identity through costume and pose. This photograph invites us to think about how we perform our own identities, and how those performances are shaped by the spaces we inhabit.