Portret van een jongen 1880 - 1910

This small portrait of a boy was produced by the Marting Brothers, though its date remains unknown. It is a photographic print, likely from an album of family portraits. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, photography was becoming more accessible, but it was still a formal and relatively expensive process. Here, the young man is wearing a dark suit and bow tie, clothing that signals a certain level of social standing. The composition, framing, and the sitter’s careful pose and somewhat stern expression indicate the seriousness with which the photographic portrait was regarded. Portraits such as this one offer us a window into social conventions and aspirations of the time. By examining studio records, newspaper advertisements, and other archival materials, we can learn much more about the place of photography within Dutch society. Art becomes a document that tells us something about the history of institutions and the shape of social life.