Portret van een vrouw 1865 - 1887

Albert Greiner created this small portrait of a woman as a photograph, sometime in the mid-19th century. Photography in this era was becoming more accessible, yet it remained a significant endeavor, especially for women who were often confined by societal expectations. The woman's gaze is direct, but there is a sense of restraint in her posture and dress, indicative of the social norms governing women's representation at the time. Her clothing, while modest, suggests a middle-class status, revealing the intersection of gender and class in shaping identity. There's an emotional depth that transcends the formal composition, hinting at the complexities of women's lives during a period of rapid social change. This portrait reflects the emergence of photography as a means for individuals to assert their presence and identity within a society undergoing significant transformation, while subtly challenging traditional representations of women.