Opbouw van de Nederlandse afdeling in de International Exhibition Philadelphia, 1876 1876

Editor: This is "Opbouw van de Nederlandse afdeling in de International Exhibition Philadelphia, 1876," a photograph taken in 1876 by the Centennial Photographic Company. It looks like an albumen print, showing the construction of the Dutch exhibit. It feels almost ghostly and sparse; so what catches your eye here? Curator: Oh, I love the feeling of anticipation! It's like stepping into a time machine, catching a glimpse of the fair before the crowds descended, before the goods were on display. Look at those planks on the ground – remnants of the construction itself. It feels as though, even through the sepia tone, we are walking through time! And think about this photograph existing as *proof* that The Netherlands were *there*, showing up, taking part. It begs the question: What does “Nation” mean? I want to almost reach into the photograph, dust off a beam. Editor: That's interesting... I hadn't thought about it in terms of national identity! So, you're saying the image isn't just documentation, it’s also… Curator: Exactly! It's a statement. Each beam, each carefully placed window, a testament to Dutch presence on the world stage. Think of the pride inherent in presenting the best of your country! And imagine the effort of hauling all these materials across the ocean. They were really showing off here! How did other displays compare? Editor: I didn’t think that just documenting construction was meaningful back then... Curator: Well, try to think of our world without images. Without *this image* where would that bit of cultural memory reside? What objects would carry the same significance of construction, and completion of the Netherlands on the global stage? Editor: True. It shows a different side of what these fairs were about - more than just finished products. Curator: It's the before and after. The getting there! That to me is sometimes even more interesting.