Portret van mevrouw Schmidt van Gelder-Coster c. 1875 - 1899

This is a photograph of Mrs. Schmidt van Gelder-Coster, made by Photographie Française in Amsterdam. Photography in the 19th century provided a new way of seeing the world and representing social status. In the Netherlands, portrait photography became a popular way for middle-class citizens to present themselves. It was considered a very modern way to solidify their place in society. This portrait of Mrs. Schmidt is particularly interesting because of her austere gaze and refined attire which suggests both wealth and restraint. We see the institutionalization of photographic studios like Photographie Française as central to the production and dissemination of these carefully constructed public images. To fully understand such a portrait, it is important to investigate the sitter's social background and the photographer's artistic approach. By consulting archives, social histories, and photographic journals, we can get a better sense of the complex social and institutional forces that shaped this image.