Portret van Willem Jacobus Fockens 1890 - 1910

This photograph of Willem Jacobus Fockens was taken in the Netherlands by Gerardus George Johannes Mathijs Frohn. Likely produced near the turn of the 20th century, the portrait participates in the booming market for bourgeois photography at the time. The photograph is rich with social information. The subject's pose, dress, and grooming tell us much about his status and place in society. His suit, tie, and carefully styled hair speak to the rise of the middle class and the value placed on outward respectability. As photography studios became more widespread, this kind of portrait became a way for individuals to assert their identity and social standing. The image must be read in the context of evolving cultural norms of appearance and self-representation. Historians can find this kind of image in archives and private collections. They are invaluable resources for understanding everyday life and the changing face of Dutch society during this transformative time.