Fotoalbum van de families Matthes, Doorman en Van Thiel c. 1860 - 1900

This is a photograph album of the families Matthes, Doorman and Van Thiel, created by various makers. The album presents a rigid structure, its pages divided into neat grids that contain oval portraits. Note how the sepia tones and the uniformity of the oval frames create a visual rhythm. This regularity speaks to the desire for order and control characteristic of the era. Looking closely, the sitters are framed in a deliberate way, their faces and posture conveying respectability and status. The symmetry and balance in the album mirror the social norms and expectations that defined their lives. But, this is not just about preserving memory; it is about constructing an image of the family for posterity. Each portrait and its placement within the album contribute to a narrative, a carefully curated representation of familial identity. The album is more than just a collection of photographs; it’s a structured space where individual identities merge into a collective representation, reminding us that even personal artifacts are shaped by cultural codes and conventions.