Portret van een onbekende vrouw c. 1880 - 1905

This is a portrait of an unknown woman, made by Wegner & Mottu in Amsterdam. As an art historian, I'm drawn to the social context of this image. Photographic portraits like this became increasingly common in the late 19th century, reflecting a growing middle class with disposable income and aspirations of upward mobility. The woman's dress, with its lace trim and brooch, suggests a certain level of social standing. But the fact that she is "unknown" to us now raises questions about the historical forces at play. Who was she? What was her life like? Understanding this photograph requires archival research into the photographers Wegner & Mottu, their clientele, and the broader social history of Amsterdam at the time. Only through this kind of contextual investigation can we begin to understand the image's full significance.