Strook met 6 pasfoto's van Marie Witsen-Schorr c. 1860 - 1915

This strip of six passport photographs shows Marie Witsen-Schorr, and was made by an anonymous photographer. The repetition, a hallmark of the passport photo strip, reflects the growing bureaucratization of identity in the early 20th century. As nations developed more complex systems of record-keeping, the need for standardized identification photos grew. This created a demand for affordable, mass-produced images. While these photographs were made for official purposes, they also offer us a glimpse into the sitter's persona. Witsen-Schorr's gaze is directed slightly upwards, perhaps implying aspiration. The hat suggests both practicality and a certain level of social standing. Was she using this photograph for a specific purpose, such as international travel? What was her profession or social role? By examining archives and other historical sources, we can begin to reconstruct the social world in which this seemingly simple photo strip played a part. Art history can illuminate the relationship between individual lives and institutional structures.