Portret van een vrouw, aangeduid als Johanna Hermina van Dreeven 1850 - 1867

Johannes Peter Metzger created this portrait of a woman, thought to be Johanna Hermina van Dreeven, using photography, sometime in the mid-19th century. It's a carte-de-visite, a small photograph mounted on card stock that became incredibly popular during that era. The rise of carte-de-visite coincided with significant social changes, particularly the growth of the middle class. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of society. The sitter's modest attire reflects the values of the Dutch middle class during this period. The book in her hand might suggest education and piety, qualities valued in women of the time. Such images were often collected and traded, serving as social currency and a way to maintain connections. These photographs offer historians a valuable glimpse into the visual culture and social norms of 19th-century Netherlands. By researching family archives and photographic collections, we can learn more about the subjects and the society they inhabited.