Portret van een onbekende vrouw, aangeduid als de vrouw van Jan Ton 1892 - 1906

This photograph of an unknown woman, possibly the wife of Jan Ton, was taken by Machiel Hendricus Laddé in Amsterdam. The image presents us with a visual record of Dutch fashion, and of the modes of photographic portraiture, at the time. Her traditional dress and stern expression speaks of cultural identity and the weight of societal expectations. The cultural significance of clothing in the Netherlands was a powerful visual signifier during this period. The studio in which Laddé worked was an institution in itself. Photography studios sprang up to meet the needs of a growing middle class, eager to participate in the modern culture of image-making. To understand this photograph fully, we might investigate the history of Dutch costume, or delve into the archives of photography studios in Amsterdam. Each avenue of research reveals how intertwined art is with social and institutional contexts.