Portret van een onbekende vrouw buiten bij een muur met klimop 1901 - 1907

Sander van der Zijl, operating from his studio on the Kalverstraat in Amsterdam, produced this small photographic print of an unknown woman. The woman's attire and the outdoor setting, with its backdrop of ivy, offer us insight into the social conventions of the time. The image probably dates from the late 19th century. Photography at this time was becoming increasingly accessible, moving beyond the realm of the elite. This portrait, devoid of aristocratic markers, suggests a rising middle class, keen to participate in modern forms of representation. Van der Zijl's work reveals the intersection of commerce and culture. His studio was a business, catering to the desires of a changing society eager to capture their likeness. The address printed at the bottom of the photograph acts as an advertisement and speaks to the democratizing effect of photography. Understanding such a portrait requires us to delve into the archives, exploring the social and economic conditions of the Netherlands during this period. Only then can we appreciate the complex interplay between art, identity, and the evolving structures of society.