Portret van een jongen vrouw met een broche c. 1882 - 1910

This small photograph from an unknown date by Franz Reissig captures a young woman adorned with a decorative brooch. The image, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the visual culture and social conventions of its time. In the absence of explicit dating, we can consider the stylistic elements, such as the subject's dress and hairstyle, along with the photographic technique itself, to situate the portrait within a particular historical context. Was this portrait commissioned, or was it a product of the burgeoning market for personal photography? How did new technologies transform the landscape of portraiture and social identity? Through careful investigation of photographic archives, fashion history, and social histories of representation, we can better understand the complex meanings embedded in this seemingly simple image. The goal is to uncover the institutional and social forces that shaped both its creation and reception. This approach allows us to appreciate the image not just as an aesthetic object, but as a cultural artifact reflecting its era.