Portret van de heer H. Compier before 1882

This is a carte-de-visite portrait of Mr. H. Compier by A. van Groeneveldt. These small photographs were wildly popular in Europe from the 1860s onward. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to the middle classes. The carte-de-visite was more than just a personal memento; it was a social currency. People collected and exchanged these photographs, creating albums that served as visual records of their social networks. The format itself – a small, easily reproducible image – speaks to the rise of industrial capitalism and the emergence of a consumer culture. Photography studios popped up everywhere to meet the demand, becoming important local businesses. Groeneveldt's studio in the Dutch town of Dudkerkhof catered to this growing market. Understanding the social and economic context of this seemingly simple portrait enriches our appreciation of its historical significance. By exploring local archives and studio records, we can uncover the stories behind these images.