Doos met los deksel 1938

Curator: The photograph before us, simply titled "Doos met los deksel," or "Box with separate lid," was taken in 1938 and forms part of the Rijksmuseum collection. It’s attributed to E.J.F. van Dissel & Zonen. What's your immediate impression? Editor: I find it surprisingly austere, almost minimalist for its time. It’s a straightforward photograph of a box, shot with a clarity that almost feels like a contemporary product display. The muted tones add to its quiet impact. Curator: I'd agree, its presentation is quite direct. The box itself bears an inscription, noting it was gifted to Queen Wilhelmina on the occasion of her 40-year Jubilee as monarch, presented with respect by the Dutch Association of Housewives, and dated September 6th, 1938. It’s a rather interesting record of socio-political dynamics, isn't it? Consider the historical moment – the eve of World War II, yet here's this seemingly mundane object marking a monarch's long reign. Editor: Exactly, it presents itself with such seeming innocence against the backdrop of a quickly escalating pre-war landscape. This "box" transcends its functionality. It’s a document that touches on gender, class, and national identity. Who were these housewives? What did this symbolic gesture signify to the monarchy, to them, and to the broader Dutch public in that specific year? Curator: And even the choice of object. What does the box contain? What’s inside is ultimately unknown here. Is it symbolic that these housewives, within a traditional framework, were offering both deference and quiet participation in national politics through their offering? Is the photograph an artistic representation of that political act? Editor: I find that incredibly provocative. The open box symbolizes their contribution to Dutch society, while simultaneously underscoring their relative lack of direct political voice. It silently questions how gender and class influenced expressions of nationalism and civic duty during a complex period. The studio setting makes it very interesting and modern as well, what do you make of that detail? Curator: It highlights, I think, the curated nature of public memory and representation. It is a very modern interpretation and execution for a photograph celebrating a Royal jubilee. This object itself then, becomes less important than what it stood for. What the Housewives as an organized body represented, at a critical juncture in our history, comes into stark relief. Editor: It adds a crucial layer of socio-political significance, inviting us to consider the silent voices behind public displays of national unity. Curator: Absolutely, it’s a seemingly simple image with significant reverberations, resonating with layered questions about Dutch society and identity. It continues to inspire fascinating historical reflection, thank you.