Thea in Den Haag en geknipt 1943

This is a page from a photo album, showing two black and white photographs with handwritten captions. The photo on the left, labeled “Thea in Den Haag”, shows a young woman standing on a city square. The photo on the right is a close-up portrait, labeled “Die Frisur”, or “The Hairdo”. Both are dated 1943. These images offer an intimate glimpse into life in the Netherlands under German occupation. The woman’s stylish attire and carefully coiffed hair speak to a desire for normalcy amidst the disruption of war. The setting of the first photograph, a public square in The Hague, places the individual within a specific urban context and suggests the negotiation of public space during wartime. Historical research into the fashion trends and social customs of the time, as well as the specific history of The Hague under occupation, could reveal further layers of meaning in these seemingly simple photographs. They provide an evocative reminder of the ways personal lives intersect with larger historical forces.