Portret van een oude vrouw met muts 1872 - 1887

Charles Binger made this portrait of an old woman with a bonnet sometime in the 19th century. It's a simple photograph, yet it tells us a great deal about the society that produced it. The woman's clothing speaks to a particular class and perhaps religious affiliation in the Netherlands. The very existence of the photograph indicates the rise of a middle class with enough disposable income to commission such portraits. The photo also tells us about the increasing professionalization of art. Binger operated a photography studio, and his business depended on the popularity of portraiture among the growing middle class. Institutions like the Rijksmuseum play a key role in preserving photographs like this, reminding us that everyday images can be valuable historical documents. To understand this photo better, we might research the history of photography in the Netherlands, the dress codes of different social classes, and the role of institutions like the Rijksmuseum in shaping our understanding of art. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.