Portret van twee onbekende meisjes 1877 - 1884

This photograph of two unknown girls was taken in Amsterdam by the Hisgen Brothers. Photography in the 19th century offered a new way of seeing and representing the world, but it also operated within a specific set of social and economic conditions. Cartes de visite like this one were relatively inexpensive, so more people than ever before could commission a portrait. Photography studios emerged as important businesses that democratized the portrait. However, posing for a photograph was still a formal affair, a marker of social status, and an affirmation of cultural norms. Notice the dark clothing, the elaborate chair, and the footstool, all indicators of middle-class status. Also, the fact that the girls are wearing jewelry indicates wealth, or at least social aspiration. Historians look at photographs like this for what they can tell us about the values and norms of the time. Family photos can be revealing historical documents. By consulting archives, newspapers, and other period sources, we can reconstruct the social context in which this image was made and better understand its cultural significance.