Portret van een kind op een stoel 1877 - 1884

Willem Herman Andries Kampfraath made this small photograph of a child in the Netherlands at an unknown date. This kind of formal portrait was a common way for families in the mid-to-late 19th century to display their status. Notice the elaborate chair, which signifies wealth, and the fashionable clothing of the child. Even the riding crop is a status symbol. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes, with a growing middle class seeking to emulate the aristocracy. Photography studios emerged as institutions that catered to this desire for social representation. As a historian, I see this image as a window into the social dynamics of the time. By examining family archives, studio records, and fashion trends, we can gain a deeper understanding of how individuals sought to define their place in society through visual representation. The meaning of this image is contingent on its social and institutional context.