Portret van een vrouw met witte klederdrachtmuts, zittend aan een tafel 1857 - 1898

This photograph by Pieter Siewers shows a woman with a white bonnet sitting at a table. The woman is wearing traditional Dutch clothing. What might it have meant to record this woman and her garb through the relatively new technology of photography? Looking at the visual codes and cultural references, it's worth remembering that in 19th-century Netherlands, regional costumes carried significant social meaning, identifying the wearer's geographical origin, religious affiliation, and even marital status. Photography, then in its relative infancy, offered a seemingly objective means of documenting these markers of identity. But, of course, institutional practices and cultural norms shaped photographic representation. Was this image commissioned as a personal memento, or was it for ethnographic or commercial purposes? Understanding this image requires careful consideration of these forces. Resources in social history, fashion history, and the history of photography might help us. Ultimately, the photograph stands as a testament to the complex interplay between individual identity, cultural representation, and the evolving technology of visual documentation.