Portret van een (vermoedelijk) Nederlandse militair c. 1861 - 1874

This is a portrait of a military man, likely Dutch, created by Albert Greiner sometime in the mid- to late-19th century. The photograph offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the Dutch military and the role of photography in shaping its image. The subject's uniform, complete with epaulettes and decorations, speaks to the codes of rank and status within the military hierarchy. The rise of photography coincided with a period of nation-building and colonial expansion in the Netherlands. Archival sources and regimental histories from this period help us to understand the function of military portraiture, documenting the faces of those who served, and projecting an image of strength and authority both at home and in the colonies. By researching the photographic studios in the Netherlands during this era, we can learn more about the social and institutional contexts in which images like these were produced, circulated, and consumed.