Portret van Charlotte Hooykaas van der Linden 1861 - 1874

Albert Greiner created this photographic portrait of Charlotte Hooykaas van der Linden in Amsterdam, though the exact date is unknown. The image captures a moment in the life of a young woman, but also reflects broader cultural and social dynamics of the time. Consider the visual codes at play: the subject's modest attire, her neatly braided hair, and her composed demeanor. These details suggest the values of propriety and restraint that were so important in 19th-century bourgeois society. The photograph itself, as a relatively new medium, was becoming an increasingly common way for families to document their lives and present themselves to the world. What can we know of the sitter herself, her position within society? Further research into genealogical records, social histories, and photographic archives might reveal more about the subject and the social networks in which she lived. By understanding the institutional and social contexts of this photograph, we gain a richer understanding of its meaning and significance.