Familiealbum van de familie Schröder met 112 foto's 1860 - 1900

This is a family album of the Schröder family, its 112 photographs bound in leather. Though the artist is anonymous, such an album speaks volumes about the rising Dutch middle class and the developing technologies of photography. Family albums gained popularity throughout the 19th century, as photography became more accessible. They documented the lives of families, solidifying social bonds, preserving memories, and projecting a particular image of the family to the world. The album itself, with its embossed monogram and sturdy binding, signals the family's status and their commitment to preserving their history. The rituals of creating, viewing, and sharing these albums reinforced familial identity and values. Understanding this album requires looking into the social history of photography, the rise of the middle class, and the cultural practices of family life in the Netherlands. Researching family history and photographic archives helps contextualize the creation and significance of this intimate object.