Portret van James Robertson before 1891

This is a portrait of James Robertson, made using photography, though the photographer is unknown. The image comes to us in the form of a book. The fact that it is included in a book says a lot about its original cultural context. The late 19th century saw the rise of photography as a respectable art form, and photographic portraits became a popular way for individuals to represent themselves. In the image, Robertson’s clothing indicates a level of social status. The composition is posed, giving him a sense of dignity and seriousness. It is likely that the book in which the photo is included was a private commission. In this context, the image is not publicly accessible, but made as a source of pride for a small and select group. To understand the place of this image in the cultural and institutional history of the time, further research might be done using resources such as historical archives, library collections, and genealogical databases.