Portret van Jan Meyer 1860 - 1900

This small portrait of Jan Meyer was made with photography, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. Photography democratized portraiture, previously the domain of the wealthy who could afford painted likenesses. The stern expression and formal attire suggest a middle-class aspiration for respectability, reflecting the social values of the time. This was a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization in many Western countries, including the Netherlands. Family photo albums became a popular way to document and preserve a family’s history, mirroring the democratization of history-writing that was happening at that time. The lack of information about the photographer suggests that the image came from a small photography studio, which catered to the burgeoning middle class. By researching the sitter and photographic practices of the period, we can better understand the image’s role in constructing identity and social status.