Portret van Gerrit Wildeboer, hoogleraar godgeleerdheid in Groningen en rector magnificus van 1897 tot 1898 before 1898

This photographic portrait of Gerrit Wildeboer, rector magnificus of the University of Groningen, was created around 1898 by Friedrich Julius von Kolkow. The photograph itself is a straightforward example of late 19th-century portraiture, carefully posed and lit. But its presentation is what really catches the eye. It is carefully mounted in a Groningsche Studenten Almanak, a student yearbook. The book, printed with crisp typography, has the look of mass production; the photo is much more individualized. It is like a precious jewel set into a printed frame. In this way, the photograph’s materiality—its smooth surface and tonal range—is offset by the rougher texture and standardized format of the book. It's a reminder that even in the age of mechanical reproduction, a unique image could still be prized. These artistic choices force us to consider the social and cultural implications of the yearbook and photographic portraiture during this period.