Portret van een man, aangeduid als H. F. Fijnje 1861 - 1874

This is Albert Greiner's photographic portrait of a man, thought to be H. F. Fijnje. Greiner created this small photograph during a time when the rise of the middle class intersected with technological advancements in photography, which had a democratizing effect on portraiture. Before this time, portraits were reserved for the upper classes but now, individuals from a wider range of social strata could participate in image-making. Here, H. F. Fijnje is seen with a stern gaze wearing a dark suit, signifying his social standing. But let's consider who gets remembered and how. As we look at this image, it's hard not to wonder about the stories of those excluded from such representation. What about the working class or people of color? Whose stories remain unseen? Greiner's portrait immortalizes its sitter, but also invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in representation itself.