Portret van een vrouw, staand bij een balustrade met boeken 1860 - 1867

This is a portrait of a woman standing by a balustrade with books, created by Henri Pronk in the 19th century. The woman is depicted in a formal setting, which reflects the societal expectations placed on women of the time. Education was becoming more accessible to women, and this portrait suggests an engagement with intellectual pursuits which was not traditionally accepted for women. Her plain dress and modest appearance, framed by the trappings of knowledge, subtly challenge conventional representations of women in art. Portraits like this offer a glimpse into the shifting identities and roles of women during a time of significant social change. It invites us to consider the quiet determination of women who sought knowledge and self-expression within the confines of their era.