Studioportret van een vrouw in een hooggesloten witte jurk c. 1863 - 1866

This is a studio portrait by Schorteldoek depicting a woman in a high-necked white dress. While the exact date is unknown, studio portraits like this one gained popularity in the 19th century, offering a new way to record and circulate images of individuals. Consider the attire of the subject. Her modest dress reflects the restrictive expectations placed on women during this period. A high neckline and covered arms symbolize purity and virtue, reinforcing the limited roles deemed acceptable for women in society. How might this woman have felt, confined by these expectations, yet also empowered by the formality and permanence of the photographic process? Photographs like this one offer a glimpse into the complex negotiation of identity during a time of significant social change. The woman's poise and the carefully chosen details of her dress invite us to contemplate the interplay between personal expression and societal norms.