Portret van een vrouw met een kanten muts c. 1866 - 1900

Johan Christiaan Reesinck made this portrait of a woman with a lace bonnet. Portraits like these were common in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the 19th century, when photography became more widespread and affordable. While photography democratized portraiture, this was still a staged and formal affair. The woman's clothing indicates that she is likely a member of the middle or upper class. Her lace bonnet was probably an important piece of clothing. It reflects social status, religious affiliation, or regional identity. These portraits offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people at a time when society was undergoing rapid change due to industrialization and urbanization. To understand the full story, researchers can study photographs, clothing, local histories, and genealogical records. These resources reveal the cultural values and social structures that shaped the lives of the sitter and the artist. The meaning of art can be enriched by understanding the social and institutional context in which it was produced and received.