Gezelschap op de Cremerbank in de Scheveningse Bosjes before 1894

This photographic print, made by Hendrik Herman van den Berg, shows a family seated on the Cremerbank in the Scheveningse Bosjes. The photographic process itself— involving light-sensitive chemicals, lenses, and paper— was becoming increasingly industrialized at the time this picture was taken. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a broader public beyond the wealthy elite who traditionally commissioned painted portraits. This image captures a family enjoying a moment of leisure, an activity made possible by the social and economic structures of the era. Their clothing and posture speak to a certain level of comfort and status, reflected in the formality of the setting. The presence of a memorial bench is also significant, marking a contribution to the public sphere. The inscription represents civic engagement and philanthropy, values promoted by the emerging middle class. By considering photography, the Cremerbank and the family, we can understand how technology, memorialization, and social class converge in this seemingly simple image.