Dubbelportret van J. de Roos en Neeltje Sinnema c. 1891 - 1901

This double portrait of J. de Roos and Neeltje Sinnema was made by Cornelis Halbertsma sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a cabinet card, a popular form of photographic portraiture during that time. Looking at the image, we see a man and a woman standing close together. The clothing of the pair reflects the fashion norms and class distinctions of the period. The man wears a dark suit, signifying a degree of formality, while the woman’s dress has details like the ruffled collar, which adds to the overall sense of modest refinement. What strikes me most is the couple’s expressions. They both gaze directly at the camera, with an almost stoic resolve. The image raises questions about identity, representation, and the gaze. Does this portrait maintain traditional representations or develop alternative narratives? How do they wish to be seen by posterity? The resulting image encapsulates something deeply human about our desire to leave a mark, to be remembered.