Twee modellen met een jurk, mantel en muts van de Wiener Werkstätte 1920 - 1930

This photograph features two models wearing clothing designed by the Wiener Werkstätte, an Austrian design collective, and it's held in the Rijksmuseum. The image gives us insight into the social and cultural context of early 20th-century Vienna. The Werkstätte was founded in 1903 with the aim of bringing together artists and craftspeople to produce high-quality, aesthetically innovative designs. The clothing worn by the models reflects this ethos, with its clean lines and emphasis on craftsmanship. The photograph itself is a product of its time, reflecting the growing importance of fashion and design in shaping social identities. By studying photographs like this, along with archival materials such as design drawings and company records, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex social and institutional forces that shaped artistic production in early 20th-century Vienna. The role of the historian is to analyze these sources and interpret their meaning in relation to broader social and cultural trends.