Norbert P. van de Berg, directeur van de Nederlandse Bank leest de krant buiten op terras 1896

Hendrik Herman van den Berg made this photograph of Norbert P. van de Berg, director of the Dutch Central Bank, reading the newspaper on a terrace. We see the director in his suit, seated outside and engrossed in the news. A hat and cane rest nearby, symbols of his status and profession. The setting suggests a moment of leisure, but the newspaper reminds us of his daily responsibilities and the weight of current affairs. Made in the Netherlands, the image speaks to the culture of finance and governance in the early 20th century. Norbert P. van de Berg’s position at the Dutch Central Bank, an important institution, reflects the country's economic structures and the role of individuals within it. The photograph isn't explicitly critical, but in its very straightforwardness, it offers an insight into the social hierarchy of its time. As an art historian, I am interested in what this image can tell us about the Dutch financial sector. Primary sources, such as newspapers from that time, can help reveal the social and institutional context of the artwork.