De ploeg van Nereus nadat zij de universiteitsroeiwedstrijden op het Spaarne in Haarlem gewonnen hebben 1874 - 1887

This photograph by Albert Greiner captures the rowing team of Nereus after their victory at the university championships on the Spaarne in Haarlem. Rowing and other such sporting clubs became popular among the Dutch bourgeoisie from the mid-19th century onwards. They reflected an emerging culture of leisure and were strongly linked to social status. Note the relatively well-dressed spectators in the background. This image creates meaning through such visual codes. The calm flatness of the Dutch landscape, complete with a windmill, is also a significant cultural reference here, reminding us of the nation’s historical identity. To understand the picture better, we can consult historical archives about Dutch sporting clubs, university records, and photographic collections. These resources reveal how this image participates in the construction of a national and class identity. By considering this social and institutional context, we understand better how art reflects and shapes the values of its time.