Portret van Jetje Deelman-Heemstra 1874 - 1887

This is Albert Greiner's photographic portrait of Jetje Deelman-Heemstra. Let’s explore how the photograph uses form to communicate identity and status. The composition is dominated by a subdued palette; the interplay of sepia tones creates a sense of depth and texture. The subject's face, captured in profile, is softly illuminated, drawing our attention to her delicate features and elaborate hairstyle. The frame is small and rectilinear. Greiner's choice of photographic medium invites us to consider photography's role in the 19th century. As a relatively new technology, photography offered new modes of representation, capturing likenesses with unprecedented accuracy. This portrait, with its formal composition and attention to detail, situates Jetje within a specific social milieu, reinforcing the conventions of portraiture as a marker of social standing. Ultimately, the photograph invites us to consider how it reflects and shapes perceptions of beauty, identity, and social status. It stands as a cultural artifact.