Portret van een jonge vrouw met boek in de hand, staand bij een tafel 1865 - 1887

Jan George Mulder captured this photographic portrait of a young woman standing by a table, sometime in the 19th century. The woman’s composed posture, with her hand resting on a book, speaks volumes about the expectations placed on women during this era. Education for women was gradually becoming more accepted, yet still intertwined with notions of domesticity and morality. The book, a symbol of knowledge, is presented here as an attribute of feminine virtue, rather than intellectual pursuit. Her modest attire and reserved expression further emphasize the societal constraints of the time. The photograph captures a moment of quiet introspection but also hints at the limitations imposed on women's roles and ambitions. It invites us to consider the complex interplay between personal identity and cultural expectations.