Portret van een meisje met bloem in de hand 1880 - 1900

Victor Pannelier made this small photograph of a girl with a flower, sometime between 1840 and 1914. The girl’s formal attire is revealing. Her lace collar, dark coat, and neatly styled hair speak volumes about the values and expectations placed on young women in the 19th century. Photographs such as this one reflect the era's increasing emphasis on capturing and preserving images of family and loved ones. Originating in France, it also illustrates the power of portraiture to convey status and social identity. During the 1800s, there was a rise of the middle class and a culture of domesticity. The sitter's pose, attire, and the inclusion of a flower, evoke ideas about innocence, beauty, and femininity. Historians of photography consult studio records and printed matter to understand the medium's rise, as well as its dialogue with other art forms. Such cultural contexts help us to interpret the values and norms reflected in this portrait.