Portret van R. van Rees, hoogleraar in de faculteit Wis- en Natuurkunde aan de universiteit van Utrecht 1860 - 1864

This is a mounted photograph of R. van Rees, professor at the University of Utrecht, produced in the Netherlands by A.A. Vermeulen & Co. In the 19th century, photography studios emerged as key institutions shaping visual culture. The rise of the bourgeoisie and the expanding reach of the Dutch academy created a demand for portraiture that reflected social standing and intellectual authority. This image uses conventions of formal portraiture—staged lighting, controlled pose, and emphasis on attire—to convey Van Rees's status. Yet, the photograph's small size also suggests a democratization of portraiture, making it accessible to a broader public. To fully understand this work, one might look into university archives, genealogical records, and studio business records to further understand the relationship between photography, social identity, and institutional power in the 19th-century Netherlands. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.