Portret van een zittende vrouw met ketting 1864 - 1895

Johannes Hinderikus Egenberger made this portrait of a seated woman with chain in the Netherlands, during a time when photography was becoming increasingly accessible. Consider the role of photography in 19th-century Dutch society, where social class and identity were prominently displayed. The woman's clothing and jewelry hint at her social standing, reflecting the values of the time. It’s interesting to think about this photo as a cultural artifact as well as a piece of art. How might the sitter and artist collaborate to perform an idealized version of the sitter’s identity? Was this image of a private or public nature? As art historians, we often use resources such as social registers, fashion plates, or even genealogical databases to try to understand the original context of artworks like this one. The meaning of art shifts with its social and institutional settings.