Portret van een man, staand c. 1861 - 1874

Albert Greiner made this small albumen print of a standing man in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-to-late 19th century. The image speaks to the rise of photography as a tool for social representation. As photography became more accessible, it offered a new way for individuals, particularly those of the middle class, to assert their status and identity. The man's formal attire, his composed posture, and even the ornate chair he leans upon, all serve to project an image of respectability and social standing. Consider how the burgeoning commercial photography studios shaped visual culture, democratizing portraiture while also reinforcing existing social hierarchies. Through careful study of photographs like this one, alongside archival sources like newspapers and census records, we can better understand the social and cultural values of the time. This helps us see how individuals negotiated their place in a rapidly changing world.