Portret van Klaas Koster 1890 - 1910

This is a mounted portrait of Klaas Koster, made by D. Fraenkel & Zoon in Amsterdam. While the date of this photographic portrait remains unknown, its very existence speaks volumes about the democratizing force of photography in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before the advent of photography, portraiture was largely the domain of the wealthy, who could afford to commission paintings. The rise of commercial photography studios, such as D. Fraenkel & Zoon, made portraiture accessible to a broader segment of the population. The sitter, dressed in a suit and tie, conveys a sense of respectability, a common aspiration for the burgeoning middle class. Such studio portraits served as symbols of social mobility and personal identity. By studying photograph collections, archives, and business records, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural contexts that shaped the production and consumption of photographic portraiture. The image becomes a valuable resource that reflects the changing social landscape.