Portret van Grietje Nooij 1883 - 1913

This is a photograph of Grietje Nooij, made by Albert Kleintjes in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is a carte-de-visite, a small paper print mounted on card stock, a format that democratized portraiture. The sepia tones and the oval vignette speak to the chemical processes involved. Light-sensitive emulsions, precise timing, and skilled darkroom work were required to capture the image. Notice the subject’s pose and attire, all carefully considered for the shot, and meant to convey respectability. These photographs were often made in multiples, and collected in albums. Consider the social context: photography studios emerged as businesses, employing technicians and artists. Mass production met individual aspiration, as ordinary people sought to participate in visual culture. What was once a privilege became an accessible commodity, forever changing how we see ourselves and others.