Portret van een onbekend kind met papieren parasol 1855 - 1885

Curator: The solemn gravity of this photograph immediately strikes me. Editor: Indeed. Let’s consider this portrait, "Portret van een onbekend kind met papieren parasol," an albumen print dating roughly from 1855 to 1885 by John George Kirby. The image shows a child holding what looks like a delicate paper umbrella. Curator: The umbrella itself speaks volumes. Umbrellas, historically, represented status and protection, becoming incredibly fashionable during this period. Editor: But also of race and class. Remember that empire shaped tastes and aesthetics, importing precious goods that reflected colonial privilege, making this umbrella both about status and, indirectly, about exploitation. This child would be sheltered by both that umbrella and an exploitative system. Curator: That umbrella almost has an aura of ritual around it; it certainly holds some symbolism regarding their family history and where they’re hoping their status will reach, don't you agree? Editor: Yes, but I see it as a barrier, almost a symbol of isolation. Note the child's somewhat downcast expression. They seem burdened. I am concerned by that serious look—the backdrop itself even contributes to this feeling. Curator: Certainly. It makes one consider the role photography played in shaping and preserving societal conventions and expectations. Editor: Exactly! We can use this image as a jumping-off point to discuss childhood, labor, privilege, the complex relationship between the personal and political within that moment in England. Curator: Thank you; viewing it through that lens adds an important layer of awareness and appreciation. Editor: It gives us a much needed entry point for understanding societal conditions and power dynamics surrounding photography in that era.