Interieur van de kamer van J.W. Naurath in de Beethovenstraße, Leipzig 1890 - 1920

Editor: Here we have "Interieur van de kamer van J.W. Naurath in de Beethovenstraße, Leipzig," a photograph taken sometime between 1890 and 1920. The image, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts an ornate room. It almost feels like a stage set; a display of wealth. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: What I see are layers of material culture. Look at the wallpaper—laboriously applied, and indicative of a certain level of consumption. How does the proliferation of goods here, and the implicit labor involved in their acquisition and maintenance, inform your reading of Naurath’s self-representation? Editor: That's interesting. I was caught up in the visual appeal, but focusing on the materiality and the work that went into creating this space makes me reconsider it. I suppose, in a way, the room itself is a kind of material artwork. How does photography as a medium contribute to this understanding? Curator: Photography, especially at this time, involved its own specific, and not insignificant, labour and expense. The subject is literally being framed for consumption and suggests photography as a status symbol as well as a tool. What implications might this have in contrast to painting, a traditional marker of wealth at this time? Editor: So, we’re not just looking at a room, but at a conscious presentation of self through carefully selected materials and the labor embedded in their creation and display, captured through the laborious process of early photography. Curator: Exactly. By examining the means of production and the implied labor, we move beyond a simple depiction to a commentary on social status and material aspiration. I appreciate you drawing out how a photo can be another object infused with wealth.