Portret van Joost van Vollenhoven met hoed in de hand 1861 - 1883

Maurits Verveer captured this image of Joost van Vollenhoven with a camera, though the exact date remains unknown. This photograph provides a glimpse into the rigid social structures of 19th-century Dutch society. Van Vollenhoven is formally dressed, embodying the era’s emphasis on decorum and social status. The fact that he is depicted holding his hat suggests a moment of transition, perhaps between public and private life, hinting at the constructed nature of identity. The image raises questions about who had the privilege to be seen and remembered, as photography became a tool for shaping public perception. While seemingly straightforward, the portrait invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in representation and how these early images contributed to the construction of historical narratives. It underscores the selective nature of historical memory and the stories we choose to tell.