Portret van een onbekend meisje, zittend op een tafel c. 1886 - 1887

Friedrich Carel Hisgen created this albumen print of an unknown girl sitting on a table. The subdued sepia tones evoke a nostalgic sentiment, highlighting the textures of the girl’s clothing. Notice how the photographer used a formal studio setting to emphasize the girl's social status, constructing a narrative of the subject. Hisgen uses a restricted tonal range which flattens the image. The composition is divided into distinct horizontal layers, from the ornate table legs to the backdrop, emphasizing the girl's static pose. The girl's direct gaze and formal attire challenge the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. The contrasting striped stockings and the elaborate table introduce a sense of disruption. This photograph operates within a visual language that reflects broader concerns about representation, identity, and the gaze in 19th-century photography.