Portret van een zittende vrouw in klederdracht van Middelburg, Zeeland 1860 - 1890

Andries Jager made this small photograph of a seated woman in Middelburg, Zeeland, sometime in the mid-19th century. The woman is shown in traditional dress, which indexes her social and cultural position within the local community. The rise of photography in the Netherlands occurred during a period of significant social and economic change, and we see a growing sense of national identity. Photography played a crucial role in documenting and preserving traditional customs, costumes, and ways of life, especially in rural areas like Zeeland. These images served as a visual record of a culture that was perceived to be disappearing due to modernization. The Rijksmuseum itself, as an institution, played a role in shaping the narrative of Dutch history and culture through its collection and display of such photographs. To understand this image better, one might consult archives of local historical societies or studies of Dutch national identity in the 19th century. In this way, we can examine how cultural artifacts obtain new meaning as they enter the museum.