Portret van een meisje, mogelijk uit de familie Dutilh c. 1863

This is a portrait of a girl, possibly from the Dutilh family, made by G. Hoogwinkel Jr., in the Netherlands during the mid-19th century, captured through photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The image conveys a sense of the sitter’s social standing through visual codes. The girl’s dress and jewelry, along with the books and ornamented table, suggest an upper-class background and access to education. The formal setting, combined with the girl’s reserved expression, creates a sense of decorum and social expectation typical of the era. The rise of photography in the 19th century played a significant role in shaping social perceptions and memorializing individuals and families, as well as reflecting a shift towards more democratic forms of portraiture. Understanding the cultural and institutional context of this photograph, including the history of photography and social norms, allows us to better appreciate its meaning and significance. Accessing genealogical records of the Dutilh family, as well as the archives of photography studios active in the Netherlands in the 19th century, would give us a better grasp of this image.