Mannen in Volendamse klederdracht op een kade c. 1900 - 1910

Curator: This gelatin-silver print, attributed to G. Hidderley, dates from around 1900 to 1910. It’s titled "Mannen in Volendamse klederdracht op een kade"—Men in Volendam costume on a quay. Editor: It’s rather bleak, isn’t it? That overcast sky and muted palette give the impression of a tough life lived by the sea. The textures of the cloth and rope feel almost palpable. Curator: The appeal to realism aligns with a specific period where representing everyday life, and the lives of ordinary folk, became more prominent. Volendam was already a tourist destination, of course. But here, it’s less picturesque postcard, more sociological document. Editor: Absolutely. Note the men's attire. We have to ask about the labor involved in creating these garments, as well as their significance in social and cultural events of the time. How accessible would these fabrics and the clothing itself have been to a larger segment of the population? Curator: That’s key. Early photography democratized portraiture, and this image preserves a moment in Volendam’s evolving identity. The placement of these men in their traditional clothing is powerful within the context of a society becoming ever more modern. Editor: I wonder, how did images like these, disseminated at the time, influence notions of Dutch identity? Were they targeted towards local populations or external audiences seeking an authentic view of the Netherlands? Also, this ship’s number, “VD 196”, would it hold records? Curator: A detailed archival investigation could unearth potential ties to fishing businesses. These kind of details, though minor at first, help build up context for the whole image, telling us about social structures and trades prominent to Volendam at the turn of the century. Editor: For me, it makes me appreciate the raw authenticity achieved with the gelatin-silver process. It’s much more than merely depicting folks by a harbour. It serves to investigate Dutch self-conception at the moment photography took on new socio-political meanings. Curator: An image that sparks questions about industry and representation, isn’t it? It is really amazing to unpack the multiple layers.