Model met geborduurde omslagdoek, model 'vogel', van de Wiener Werkstätte 1920 - 1930

Curator: Here we have an arresting photograph titled "Model met geborduurde omslagdoek, model 'vogel', van de Wiener Werkstätte," placing it sometime between 1920 and 1930. Editor: My eye is immediately drawn to the cloak itself. It seems so heavy, so laden with… longing. And what’s underneath appears deliberately concealed. Is the figure retreating, or preparing for flight? Curator: The bird motif in the embroidery could certainly symbolize aspirations towards freedom. The Wiener Werkstätte, you see, sought a synthesis of the arts and crafts. Everyday objects infused with artistry. And the cloak, more than simple adornment, might suggest social codes, perhaps veiled expressions of identity. Editor: Social codes? Absolutely! A signal of wealth for one. I also note how the artist decided to portray the model from behind; an intentional choice, creating a beautiful tableau and hiding a personality. I'd be more than a little nervous of this model, like some dark queen holding court! Curator: Quite right. While we see the fashionable accessories of the time – a sleek head covering, shoes with just a hint of shine – the absence of the face encourages the viewer to reflect on artifice, design, and the roles clothing performs in projecting an image. Symbolism is always present in clothes but not necessarily overt. Editor: You are right. Her clothes, heavy on dark colour with stark embellishments, almost give her a haunting air... The contrast between the heavy black cloak and its silver decorations against an almost ghostly background, it’s a scene ripped straight from a psychological drama. You almost pity her, standing so stiffly as if posing is all she has left. It really speaks to how we see our public persona. The contrast with her intimate private life may differ vastly. Curator: It seems fair to suggest that while celebrating innovative design, this image also provides an intriguing reflection on constructed personas, an echo from a past world, that speaks of how clothes form who we wish to become. Editor: Indeed, a delicate balance struck between craftsmanship and emotional weight, I will take away, how the simplest image can hide complex characters within it.