Portret van een vrouw 1855 - 1890

Constantin Schwendler created this small portrait of a woman with photography. Reflecting on this image, I’m struck by how deeply embedded it is within a specific historical and social context. The woman, adorned in what appears to be elaborate costume, probably signifies her participation in a masquerade or theatrical performance. The photograph could be a calling card, an advertisement or a personal memento. The subject's gaze, though directed at the camera, feels distant, almost ethereal. I wonder about her experience, the layers of identity she is assuming through her attire. This portrait offers not just a glimpse into a single life, but also into the broader societal structures of its time. It’s a reminder of how identity is shaped and performed, and how photography can capture and immortalize these fleeting moments of self-expression.