Portret van een man met handschoenen in de hand, leunend op een zuil 1860 - 1894

Curator: Before us is a striking 19th-century photograph from the Rijksmuseum's collection. It's entitled "Portret van een man met handschoenen in de hand, leunend op een zuil," and is attributed to Ghémar Frères. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is how formally staged it is, and the man’s resolute stance. Even the slightly sepia tones convey a very controlled feeling. It’s more than just a portrait; it’s a performance. Curator: Yes, photography in this period was as much about capturing an individual as it was about showcasing the studio's artistry. Look closely; it seems like it's presented as if on display in an album. We must think about the materiality of it – albumen print was widely available. These kinds of framed portrait shots speak to the accessibility of this kind of photographic technology for bourgeois consumers. Editor: That makes sense. And what does it mean when the subject chooses to be pictured leaning against a classical pillar? It evokes power, solidity, tradition. He's a man grounding himself in established social structures. He clutches his gloves— what symbol does this accessory carry for him, what would gloves have represented in that era? Curator: His gloves held probably the function and status of high-class etiquette of the time period, along with suggesting wealth. Editor: Exactly, the photograph communicates an aspiration of timeless value and maybe respectability. But I do have a question regarding that sense of aspiration that might make someone commission the Gehem Bros to take the photo - this may have even had links with the production of early colonial empires perhaps? Curator: Indeed, this kind of imagery played a role in constructing ideals and narratives within growing colonial empires. We must look deeper into that historical context. But I do find the image quite powerful through its social impact. The photograph encapsulates ideas about societal roles that is hard not to wonder about even today! Editor: I couldn't agree more. Seeing this image gives us today such deep roots in that era of cultural identity.