Portret van een onbekende man met een hoed en een sigaar in zijn hand 1861 - 1874

This photograph of an unknown man with a hat and cigar was taken by Albert Greiner in Amsterdam. The portrait speaks volumes about the social rituals of the time. In the Netherlands during the 19th century, the rising middle class sought ways to display their status. The man's attire, complete with a neatly held top hat and cigar, suggests a degree of affluence and adherence to social norms. This image, likely a carte-de-visite, served as a calling card and a means of circulating one's likeness within a specific social circle. Studios such as Greiner's played a crucial role in democratizing portraiture, making it accessible to a broader segment of society. To truly understand this photograph, we can consult city directories to learn about studios such as Greiner's and examine etiquette manuals to appreciate the social codes embedded within this seemingly simple portrait. This photograph offers a window into the social landscape of 19th-century Amsterdam.