Portret van Cornelia Hendrika Jonker 1875 - 1885

Albert Greiner made this photograph of Cornelia Hendrika Jonker sometime in the late nineteenth century, likely in the Netherlands. Photography at this time had become a popular way for families to record their histories. But it was also shaped by class and cultural norms. This image is a carte-de-visite, a small photograph mounted on a card. This format gained widespread popularity in the 1860s. The size and portability of cartes-de-visite allowed for easy exchange and collection, like calling cards. The popularity of carte-de-visite demonstrates the growing middle class in Europe and the increasing desire for personal documentation and social connection. It also shows the influence of capitalism on photographic practices. Studios like Greiner’s mass-produced images for public consumption. To understand the social and cultural context of this photograph further, we might research the history of photography studios in the Netherlands and the role of portraiture in constructing social identity. By exploring the archives of institutions, we can better understand its place in cultural history.