Portret van een vrouw met muts, gelijkend op Friese kap 1870 - 1900

This is a photograph, presumably made sometime in the 19th century by F.D. van Rosmalen & Zoon. As a photographic print, the work begins with optics and chemistry, the skillful manipulation of light and silver salts. What’s most interesting to me is the sitter's clothing, particularly her elaborate bonnet, which resembles the Friese kap. This is no mere fashion accessory, but a potent signifier of regional identity, one created through a blend of handcraft and possibly also industrial production. It speaks to the complex economy of the garment trade, and the way that clothing could indicate both social status and cultural affiliation. Looking at this image, it’s easy to forget the amount of labour that went into producing it – not just the photographer’s skill, but the many hands that would have been involved in the making of the sitter's clothes. By giving attention to these aspects, we can understand the image as more than just a portrait, but as a document of its time.