Gezicht op Museum Boymans in het Schielandshuis te Rotterdam c. 1867 - 1900

Andries Jager created this photograph of the Museum Boymans in the Schielandshuis in Rotterdam using the albumen print method. Constructed in 1665, the Schielandshuis embodies Dutch classicism. From 1841, it served as Rotterdam's primary museum. Jager’s photograph would have contributed to the museum's public image in a period when photography was gaining prominence as a means of documentation and promotion. The photo captures a bustling square with figures in period dress, offering a glimpse into the social life around a cultural institution. The inclusion of everyday people suggests an effort to portray the museum as an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric. The choice to document the museum in this way reflects a growing interest in making art and culture accessible to a broader public. Historical archives, museum records, and photographic surveys of the period, can help to better contextualize the photograph. They allow us to understand the evolving role of museums in society and the strategies employed to engage diverse audiences.