Portret van Charles Rochussen 1881 - 1885

Editor: Here we have a photograph, "Portret van Charles Rochussen," made between 1881 and 1885 by Maurits Verveer. It's a gelatin silver print. The portrait, in that oval frame, gives a really formal impression. What symbols jump out at you? Curator: The oval format itself is fascinating, isn’t it? It evokes a sense of the cameo, almost jewel-like, and speaks to the desire for posterity and memorialization, common to photographic portraiture from this time. But look at Rochussen's direct gaze. What feeling does that evoke in you? Editor: Confidence, maybe a little bit of seriousness? Curator: Precisely. His mustache is meticulously groomed; his gaze is steady and engaging. Do you recognize something in him? A specific idea maybe? Editor: It gives me a very distinct sense of a historical period – something about the rigid posture and the man's apparel reminds me of paintings I’ve seen. Curator: Exactly. In paintings, direct eye contact serves to communicate honesty and connection with the subject. Similarly, in photographic portraits from this period, the formal attire, coupled with such eye contact, functioned as symbolic representations of middle-class aspiration and social worthiness. Do you see him like someone you could trust? Editor: Absolutely. It all does make him seem reliable. The photo feels like it’s saying something not just about Rochussen as an individual but about broader cultural values. Curator: That’s well observed. How images work is they serve as memory keepers. By depicting key attributes – the look, pose and apparel – cultural attitudes become implanted in the memory and serve as cues for behavior later in life. Editor: That's such a good point. It really makes you think about how much portraits communicate beyond just a likeness.