Portret van een baby c. 1861 - 1890

Albert Greiner produced this photograph of a baby in Amsterdam. It’s undated, but we can assume it was made sometime in the late nineteenth century. The baby sits squarely on a decorative cushion, a formal arrangement for a youthful subject. During this period, advances in photographic technology made portraiture accessible to the middle classes. It speaks to the democratization of art, as photographic studios opened across Europe, providing services to a broader public than traditional painting ever could. Greiner's Amsterdam studio was part of this expanding industry, catering to a growing demand for affordable portraiture. These images served as social documents, reflecting the sitter's aspirations and status. The formal pose and attention to detail suggest a desire to present a respectable image. Understanding this photograph involves studying the history of photography, the social conventions of portraiture, and the economic conditions that shaped artistic production in the Netherlands. By considering these factors, we gain insight into the complex interplay between art, society, and individual expression.