Portret van een jonge vrouw 1867 - 1888

This is a photograph of a young woman, made by Johannes Wilhelmus Franciscus Offenberg, a Dutch photographer who lived from 1839 to 1919. Looking at it today, this small portrait tells us a lot about middle-class life in the Netherlands during the late 19th century. At this time photography was increasingly popular, as new technologies made it more affordable and accessible. The woman’s clothing, a plaid dress with a lace collar, suggests a family with some means. The formal pose, within an oval frame, indicates the value placed on appearances and social standing. Photographic studios sprung up in many Dutch cities, meeting the demand for these kinds of images. These studios were often family businesses. The rise of photography also influenced painting and other visual art forms. Artists began to explore new ways of representing reality, as photography took on the task of capturing likeness. The photograph itself became a treasured object, kept in albums like this one, or displayed in homes as a symbol of family identity. To better understand this image, we might consult archives of photographic studios, social histories of the Netherlands, and collections of family albums from the time. Each of these resources would help reveal the cultural meanings embedded in this small portrait.