Portret van een vrouw, aangeduid als Mme. de Grandseigne 1864 - 1886

Émile Fürst, based in Nantes, France, produced this portrait photograph of Mme. de Grandseigne. Photography in the 19th century served a crucial social function, democratizing portraiture and visually codifying social status. The rigid pose and formal dress, including the beaded collar, reflect the sitter’s desire to project an image of respectability. The framing of the oval portrait in an album page reveals the photograph’s role in constructing and preserving family history. This format invited viewers to connect with their lineage and participate in the social rituals of remembrance. Understanding this image requires us to investigate the cultural history of photography as it intersects with the history of class and gender. Researching the Grandseigne family and the local photographic practices in Nantes might further reveal the specific social context and meanings embedded in this portrait. This type of historical contextualization helps us see photographs not just as documents, but as artifacts that embody the complex interplay of individual identity and broader social forces.