Portret van een vrouw met een jurk met een boek in de handen c. 1864 - 1887

Carl Philip Wollrabe created this portrait of a woman with a book, using photographic techniques common in the 19th century. The portrait reflects the cultural values and social expectations placed on women during that era. Sitting formally in a decorative chair, she embodies the restrained elegance expected of women in bourgeois society. Yet, the book she holds hints at intellectual interests, subtly suggesting a narrative beyond conventional domestic roles. This tension encapsulates the complex position of women who were beginning to push against societal norms while still confined by them. The photograph, with its muted tones, carries a sense of introspection. This invites us to reflect on the silent dialogues and personal aspirations of women whose stories often remain untold. The image is a delicate balance between representation and the unspoken.