Portret van Lientje Coster, aanstaande van J. van Delden 1860 - 1880

This is a portrait of Lientje Coster, future wife of J. van Delden, by Petz & Co. The photograph, encased in an oval frame, employs subtle sepia tones, creating a soft, almost dreamlike quality. The composition, focusing tightly on Lientje's profile, invites an intimate viewing experience. The photographer plays with light and shadow, accentuating the delicate lace at her collar and the intricate details of her hairstyle. The oval format itself speaks to a tradition of portraiture, yet here, its rigid geometry is softened by the blurring edges of the photograph, a technique that almost undermines the traditional function of portraiture as a record of likeness. Instead it is a highly stylized representation. The semiotic structure of the photograph suggests a tension between capturing an individual and presenting an idealized image, a common theme in 19th-century photography. The use of sepia tones enhances this tension, lending the image a timeless quality, while simultaneously reminding us of its historical context. This formal choice transforms the portrait into more than just a depiction of a person, but a study in representation itself.