Portret van een onbekende vrouw met een mand in klederdracht van Zandvoort, Noord-Holland 1860 - 1890

This print in the Rijksmuseum is a photograph by Andries Jager, depicting an unknown woman with a basket, in traditional costume from Zandvoort, North Holland. The composition is structured around the contrast between the woman's static pose and the dynamic patterns of her clothing. The striped skirt draws the eye downward, while the intricate details of the basket and shawl add textural complexity. Jager uses a muted color palette, which emphasizes the materiality of the fabrics and the weathered appearance of the basket. This image engages with broader questions about cultural representation and identity. It invites us to consider how traditional dress functions as a signifier of local identity and how photography can both preserve and construct these identities within a changing social landscape. By focusing on the formal elements of the photograph, we can appreciate its role in shaping perceptions of Dutch culture during this period.