Drie jongens en twee mannen, vermoedelijk docent en schipper, tijdens een excursie van de Openbare Handelsschool naar Berlijn en de Oostzee 1889 - 1893

Curator: This gelatin silver print, attributed to Willem Frederik Piek Jr., captures a scene titled "Three boys and two men, presumably teacher and skipper, during an excursion of the Openbare Handelsschool to Berlin and the Baltic Sea," sometime between 1889 and 1893. What's your first take? Editor: Oh, wow, the sepia tones just saturate it with nostalgia, don’t they? There's something very staged about the photo. The man with the hat, he’s clearly telling them a tall tale, pointing towards some invisible wonder on the horizon. It’s lovely. Curator: The photograph offers a window into the educational practices of the late 19th century, showcasing a trip designed, perhaps, to broaden the students’ horizons beyond the classroom. This journey isn't just about leisure; it reflects the period's emphasis on experiential learning, a precursor to modern educational philosophy. Editor: Experiential learning… I like that phrase. It makes me think about what the photographer intended. They could've frozen a genuine moment of camaraderie. Maybe it’s that carefully positioned figure with his stern expression and authoritative pointing that spoils it. You just know someone yelled "Cheese!" seconds before. Curator: But perhaps it is more nuanced. These group excursions provided opportunities for class cohesion and demonstrated access to experiences for specific segments of society based on race and class. Editor: That’s a crucial point. Considering these students likely came from privileged backgrounds makes this trip a kind of… ritual, right? Like solidifying their position and seeing places their families traded with? It makes you wonder what was excluded to get here. Curator: Exactly. And how this exposure was framed – which cultural narratives were prioritized, which voices silenced. Looking closer reveals the social and economic disparities inherent to these educational travel opportunities. Who are the presumed teacher and skipper in relation to these boys and their access to education? Editor: So it isn't just a snapshot, but a reflection on society itself. Seeing the historical layers… wow! And how such a stiff photograph manages to make one think of it! Curator: Absolutely. Analyzing these photographs opens dialogues on privilege, access, and historical representation, which inevitably link back to contemporary conversations about social justice and equity in education. Editor: You've turned a posed photograph into a mirror. Pretty good trick. It makes one grateful that so many can enjoy the trip today.