Portret van een man in uniform 1890 - 1898

J.W. Wentzel created this portrait of a man in uniform sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It's a modest-sized photograph, likely part of a larger collection or album. Consider what a portrait like this signified at that time. Photography was becoming more accessible, yet a formal portrait in uniform still carried weight, representing civic duty, military service, and perhaps social standing. The uniform itself is a visual code, communicating authority and adherence to a specific set of values. This image offers a glimpse into the culture of the Netherlands during a period of relative peace and growing national identity. To fully understand its significance, one might delve into military archives, genealogical records, and photographic collections, piecing together the individual stories and social structures that shape our understanding of this man and his time.