Portret van de tweede vrouw van Frans Reijk Roos sr., staand bij een stoel 1850 - 1867

Henri Pronk captured this image, "Portret van de tweede vrouw van Frans Reijk Roos sr., staand bij een stoel", with a camera, enshrining a moment in time. The most striking symbolic element here is the chair. A chair is more than mere furniture; it's a signifier of status, authority, and domesticity. We see how the sitter leans casually on it, and how it becomes a silent witness to her presence. Chairs evoke a sense of being seated in power and ceremony. The throne as a symbol of dominion. In ancient times, chairs were reserved for rulers and high-ranking individuals, and now this sitter uses it to project importance. Over time, the chair has evolved in meaning, becoming integrated into everyday life, yet it retains its connection to ideas of comfort, stability, and social standing. The chair's presence engages us, reminding us of the non-linear path of symbols throughout history.