Menukaart voor een diner ter ere van het 25-jarig huwelijksfeest van J. Miezérus en H. Miezérus-Visser, met portretten van het echtpaar 1917

This is a dinner menu, likely made in 1917, commemorating the 25th wedding anniversary of J. Miezérus and H. Miezérus-Visser. Note the portraits of the couple, framed within delicate ornamentation, marking the years 1892 and 1917. Considered through a feminist lens, the menu offers a glimpse into the gendered expectations of the time. The inclusion of both the husband’s and wife’s names acknowledges her presence, yet her identity is still linked to her husband through her surname. The visual formality of the menu speaks to the significance of marriage as a social institution, and reflects the values of stability and tradition upheld within the middle classes. Though seemingly a simple artifact, this menu encapsulates a moment in time, revealing the intricate interplay between personal identity and social norms.