Portret van een jongeman met insignes op jas 1861 - 1874

Albert Greiner made this albumen print of a young man wearing insignia on his jacket sometime in the 19th century. Photographs like these served an important social function at the time. This portrait shows a young man in a suit and tie, indicating his social status. Yet, the image also tells us something about the development of social institutions in the Netherlands during this time. The subject's jacket features what appears to be an insignia, a symbol of his membership in a particular organization or association. As a historian, I'm interested in the social and political context of this image. Understanding the institutions and organizations that existed in the Netherlands at this time, and how they shaped social life, is key to understanding the meaning of this work. By studying historical documents and records, we can learn more about the role of these institutions in shaping Dutch society.