Fotoreproductie van Das Slechte Buch 1870 - 1890

This small photograph reproduces an image of a woman with a book, and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Though undated, the piece speaks to the rise of both photography and a culture of sentimental portraiture in the nineteenth century. The work depicts a woman, brow furrowed and hand to her face, in apparent distress. She is holding a book. The image is presented in an oval frame, lending it a sense of intimacy. The work is of interest not just for its aesthetic qualities, but also as an early example of photographic reproduction, a technology that democratized image-making. This would have allowed for wider circulation and distribution, beyond an aristocratic elite. In understanding the piece further, one might examine the cultural significance of literature in the period. The question of the woman's dress is also something to consider. Further research into the Rijksmuseum's holdings and archival materials could shed light on the photograph's origins and purpose. The historian's role is to connect such aesthetic and technical details with the broader social and institutional context.