Fotoreproductie van Quasimodo door Antoine Wiertz before 1868

Editor: So this is a photographic reproduction of Antoine Wiertz's *Quasimodo*, made sometime before 1868. It’s striking; Quasimodo looks much more thoughtful here than I’ve ever imagined him. The keys add an element of mystery. What symbolic weight do you think they carry? Curator: The keys are potent. Keys have long signified authority, access, and knowledge, but also secrets and imprisonment. Consider the cultural memory attached to keys; in religious iconography, keys are prominently associated with Saint Peter, keeper of the gates of heaven. Wiertz positions Quasimodo with these very symbols that denote authority but also suggest his role as the bellringer confined within Notre Dame. Editor: That's a great point. So the keys are double-edged, representing both power and Quasimodo's captivity. Curator: Precisely. And notice the way Wiertz frames Quasimodo, the theatrical lighting emphasizing the character’s internal struggle, drawing from Romanticism. This adds to the cultural trope of the ‘outsider’ with hidden depths. How does this impact the viewer's understanding of the figure? Editor: I suppose it pulls us into Quasimodo's emotional world. We expect a monster, but instead, we are presented with a man burdened by thought. It’s interesting that Fierlants chose to reproduce *this* particular artwork of Quasimodo. Curator: Indeed, Fierlants’ reproduction underscores how deeply Victor Hugo’s character resonated and continued to inspire. He uses a modern medium to explore old themes. The image lives on through symbolism. Editor: It's fascinating to consider how photography extends the life and interpretations of the figure of Quasimodo, allowing the symbols within the frame to speak to new generations. Curator: Absolutely. A powerful convergence of Romantic ideals and photographic possibilities, perpetually reshaped in our collective imagination.