Portretten 1941 - 1943

Editor: We’re looking at “Portretten,” or “Portraits,” made between 1941 and 1943. They’re albumen prints mounted in what looks like a photo album. What strikes me is the uniformity – the repeated depiction of men in what appear to be naval uniforms, and it makes me wonder, what do you see when you look at this page? Curator: What immediately stands out is the context of these portraits being made during the Second World War. The institutional force of the military profoundly shapes not only the lives of these young men, but also the creation and reception of these images. Do you notice how the constraints of military life, the uniforms, the standardized poses, influence the artistic expression, or perhaps, suppress it? Editor: I see what you mean. There's a tension between the individual faces and the collective identity imposed by the uniforms. It's as if their personalities are trying to break through. Do you think the photographer intended to convey this tension, or was it simply a product of the time? Curator: That’s the power of historical distance. Intention is fascinating, but so is impact. Regardless of the photographer's specific intentions, the photographs participate in the larger visual culture of the time – a visual culture saturated with propaganda and control, but also with individual experiences of hardship and loss. Editor: It’s almost like the album page becomes a small monument, preserving these faces and prompting us to reflect on their stories within that wider, turbulent history. Thanks! I'll look closer at those elements. Curator: And hopefully consider the difficult context under which art gets made and presented, shaping not just its production but our interpretations too.