Mathilde Wachenheimer-Wertheimer als jonge vrouw met een enorme strik in het haar, voor een geschilderde landelijke achtergrond 1875 - 1885

This photograph of Mathilde Wachenheimer-Wertheimer as a young woman was taken by Johann Mehlbreuer in Strasbourg. The image presents a young woman in traditional Alsatian dress, complete with an oversized bow, posed against a painted pastoral backdrop. The photograph creates meaning through its deliberate construction of cultural identity, referencing the traditions and customs of the Alsace region in the late 19th century. This period saw increased tensions between France and Germany, with Alsace being a contested territory, switching between French and German control. Mehlbreuer's studio in Strasbourg would have been well-placed to serve both French and German clients seeking to express their cultural affiliations. The photographic archive can be a valuable source for historians. Further research into fashion and regional identity would provide richer insights into this image and its social context. By considering these factors, we can understand how visual culture reflects and shapes social and institutional forces.