Portret van een (vermoedelijk) Nederlandse militair after 1861

Carel Eduard Westerborg made this photograph of a presumed Dutch military man. The man’s uniform tells us a lot about his social standing. Photography at this time – the late 19th century – was becoming more accessible, yet still functioned as a marker of status. The military uniform signified not only service to the nation, but also a degree of social and economic privilege. The Netherlands, with its colonial holdings, had a military that was deeply intertwined with its economic and political power. It would be interesting to know more about the specific regiment, and the role this man played in the broader context of Dutch colonialism. Understanding such a portrait requires considering the institutions of both the military and the emerging photographic industry. Military archives, genealogical records, and studies of Dutch colonial history would help us better understand the social and political implications of this image.