Portret van een onbekende vrouw bij een stoel 1885 - 1906

This photograph of an unknown woman was created by W.G. Kuijer & Zonen. The existence of such a commercial studio suggests the growth of a Dutch middle class with enough disposable income to commission such portraits. It's interesting to note the cultural codes embedded in the image. Her stern expression and conservative dress suggest the values of thrift, piety, and hard work associated with the Protestant work ethic. Yet, her puffed sleeves betray an awareness of contemporary fashions. The chair is an ornate prop used to give the sitter an air of middle class respectability. Historical researchers may look at the records of photography studios and census data to analyze the social profile of their clientele. Comparing this portrait to others from the same studio could reveal a typology of Dutch middle-class portraiture, as well as offering insights into the sitter's social identity.