Publiek tijdens een tenniswedstrijd, onder de drie tennisspelers Gerard Slaghek, Clé Helters en Frans Paut 1912 - 1913

This is "Publiek tijdens een tenniswedstrijd, onder de drie tennisspelers Gerard Slaghek, Clé Helters en Frans Paut", a photograph by Carolina (Loentje) Frederika Onnen. Onnen's photograph offers a window into the social and gendered dynamics of the early 20th century. During this period, tennis was a popular sport among the middle and upper classes, and these social gatherings were spaces where norms and expectations around gender were subtly reinforced. In the picture, we see a clear distinction between the male players and the predominantly female audience. The women are elegantly dressed, observing the game, while the men are actively participating. This division reflects the era’s conventional roles, where women were often confined to the role of spectators, subtly encouraged to admire the achievements of men. Consider the subtle ways in which Onnen captures these dynamics. How does the composition reinforce the separation between the players and the audience? The photograph serves not only as a record of a tennis match but also as a document of social relations. A moment frozen in time with implications that run deeper than the game itself.