Portret van een onbekende vrouw in klederdracht 1880 - 1900

This photograph by Johannes Franciscus Hennequin captures an unknown woman in traditional Dutch clothing. It likely dates from the late 19th century, a period when photography became increasingly accessible to the middle class in the Netherlands. The woman's attire, particularly her elaborate bonnet, speaks to the strong regional identities that persisted in Dutch society, even as national identity was being forged. Such garments were visual markers of community, class, and often religious affiliation. Photography studios like Hennequin's played a role in both preserving and commodifying these traditions. As a historian, I'm interested in understanding how institutions like photography studios shaped the representation of cultural identity. Further research into census records, fashion studies, and local histories could reveal more about the sitter, her community, and the social context in which this portrait was created. This photograph, therefore, is a valuable document for understanding the complexities of Dutch society at a time of rapid modernization.