Twee mannen in klederdracht op een dijk bij Volendam c. 1900 - 1910

This photograph by G. Hidderley shows two men in traditional dress on a dike near Volendam. With its focus on regional identity, this image fits into a broader cultural phenomenon across Europe at the turn of the century. In the late 19th century, folklore became an important part of the construction of national identity. Across Europe, there was a rising interest in the traditions and customs of rural life, which were seen as an authentic expression of national character. Here, Hidderley positions his subjects in a rural landscape marked by traditional windmills and buildings. The men’s garb is not just clothing; it’s a symbol, a visual shorthand for a set of values and traditions rooted in the Dutch countryside. The historian can use sources like local archives, costume books, and travel accounts to understand how these images played a part in shaping perceptions of Dutch identity, both at home and abroad. Art, in this sense, is a product of its time, shaped by the social and cultural forces that give it meaning.