Portret van een zittende dienstbode in schort met een kleuter op schoot 1902

Jacobus de Vries made this photograph of a seated maid with a toddler in her lap, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It offers us a glimpse into the social structures of the Netherlands at the time. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Note how the maid's uniform signifies her social position, while the child's clothing and demeanor suggest a different class status. The photograph, in its composition and subject matter, reflects the social hierarchy and the roles of women within that structure. It is worth noting how institutions such as the family and the household economy influence the depiction of these figures. Was the photograph commissioned? Was it intended for private or public display? To understand the image better, we might consult archives of family photographs or studies of domestic labor in the Netherlands, to better understand its social and institutional context.