Portret van een jonge vrouw met waaier 1860 - 1890

This is 'Portret van een jonge vrouw met waaier' by Samuel A. Cohner, a photograph with dimensions 86 by 52 mm. The photograph presents a young woman in a formal gown, positioned with a classical sculptural object to her left. The subdued sepia tones and the symmetrical arrangement of the figure and props create a sense of balance and poise. Her gaze is direct and self-assured, yet there is a vulnerability in her expression, perhaps a tension between societal expectations and individual identity. Considered through the lens of structuralism, the photograph can be seen as a set of signs. The gown and the sculpture, for instance, signify status and cultural refinement. These elements adhere to accepted norms, yet the composition also hints at a challenge to conventional portraiture. By focusing on these visual cues, the photograph serves as a mirror, reflecting both the subject's place within society and the subtle nuances of her personal character.