Portret van twee onbekende personen, aangeduid als Willem en Lena, op de gletsjer te Chamonix 1912 - 1917

Curator: This arresting image, held within our photography collection, is entitled "Portret van twee onbekende personen, aangeduid als Willem en Lena, op de gletsjer te Chamonix," which translates to "Portrait of two unknown persons, referred to as Willem and Lena, on the glacier at Chamonix." The photograph comes to us from the Service Photographique des Glaciers and was created sometime between 1912 and 1917. Editor: My initial reaction is… isolated. There's something stark and exposed about this couple against that pale, immense glacier. The almost sepia tone enhances the feeling of distance, both geographical and temporal. Curator: Absolutely. It speaks volumes about the era. The Service Photographique des Glaciers were, essentially, documentarians. They played a significant role in shaping the visual culture surrounding mountain exploration, influencing popular perceptions of the Alps. Their photography was instrumental to creating a European identity associated with outdoor pursuits and nature tourism. Editor: It's fascinating to think about that creation of "nature tourism." Who had access to these kinds of experiences, and how was that portrayed? These figures, supposedly Willem and Lena, seem carefully posed. Are they performing leisure or something more symbolic, something related to conquering the natural world? Curator: That's an important layer. Note the formality of their dress - he’s in a full suit, hat included. While the image appears simple on its face, their clothing underlines the constructed nature of the moment. Also, note how gender is displayed: he strides, and she supports herself with a pole. Editor: Which speaks to access and privilege in the early 20th century. We see a seemingly ordinary couple but there is definitely some class display in how they're facing a raw landscape. Curator: Yes, and their "ordinariness" allows wider society to consider these adventures attainable. The photograph as a document subtly sold experiences and a constructed version of adventure for a selected group of people. Editor: Precisely. This piece reminds me to be very critical about who gets to experience nature in different ways. Curator: Thinking about its history, this piece has really challenged the assumptions I brought to the photograph. It really demonstrates how constructed so-called natural images really are.