Fotoreproductie van (vermoedelijk) een prent van Caroline Bonaparte, koningin van Napels c. 1863 - 1880

This is a photo reproduction by Étienne Neurdein of what is believed to be a print of Caroline Bonaparte, Queen of Naples. Caroline was Napoleon Bonaparte's younger sister, and in 1800, she married Joachim Murat, one of Napoleon’s generals. Caroline's social position and marriage are emblematic of the time, where identity and status were so closely tied to family connections and political power. Consider the emotional life of a woman like Caroline. Her story reflects the possibilities and constraints placed upon women in positions of power in the 19th century. A woman’s value was often tied to her familial relations, which defined her identity and determined her social role. This image captures a highly posed formality, yet we can imagine Caroline’s individual desires and perhaps even her frustrations. Neurdein’s reproduction prompts us to think about how images shape our understanding of historical figures, and how these representations can both reflect and influence societal values.