Portret van een man 1880s

Albert Greiner made this portrait of a man using photography, but we don't know exactly when. It's a small image, part of an album of portraits, likely produced in the late 19th century. During that time, photography was becoming increasingly accessible, moving from a niche practice to something more widespread. The sitter's clothing and pose speak to a certain level of bourgeois respectability. His jacket, bow tie, and neatly styled hair suggest a man of some status, confident enough to have his portrait taken. The crossed arms might suggest a certain authority or self-assurance. It’s interesting to consider how the rise of photography influenced portraiture. The photograph democratized image-making, allowing a broader range of people to participate in visual culture. By looking at sources such as photographic journals, business records, and census data, we can understand the changing social role of images in the Netherlands and elsewhere.