Portret gemaakt ter herinnering aan de diensttijd van een Nederlandse militair c. 1890 - 1910

Theodorus Ferdinant van de Pol created this portrait as a memento for a Dutch military man. Images like this served to document and commemorate military service. We might consider the emotional implications of military service. What does it mean to serve one's country? What are the personal sacrifices involved? What kind of social status comes with such a service? The photograph displays a uniformed figure set against symbols of national pride, military strength and commitment. We see in this photograph a carefully constructed image that not only captures a likeness, but also reinforces the subject's identity as a soldier and patriot, shaped by duty and allegiance. Consider how the photograph, more than just a personal memento, also serves as a historical document, reflective of the values, expectations, and realities of military service in the Netherlands.