Portret van Bastiaan de Greef 1864 - 1879

This is Leonard de Koningh’s portrait of Bastiaan de Greef, a small photograph now held at the Rijksmuseum. De Koningh, active in the mid-19th century, worked in a period where photography was rapidly evolving from a niche practice to a means of mass communication and documentation. In this portrait, Bastiaan de Greef sits with a contemplative air, his hand gently supporting his chin. The image speaks to the rise of the bourgeoisie and their desire for representation. In a society still structured by class, such portraits allowed individuals to assert their place and project a desired image of themselves. What's fascinating here is how the act of sitting for a portrait, once reserved for the aristocracy, became a way for the middle class to participate in the visual culture of status and identity. De Greef’s calm pose and carefully chosen attire, reflect not just personal identity, but also the broader aspirations of a changing society.