Vrouw met waaier 1846 - 1905

Hendrik Dekker made this portrait of a woman with a fan in the 19th century. This lithograph presents an image of feminine elegance, but it also speaks volumes about the social expectations placed on women in Dutch society during that era. The fan, a delicate accessory, serves as more than just a tool for cooling; it's a symbol of status and refinement. The woman's poised demeanor and fashionable dress reflect the emphasis on appearances and social decorum that defined the lives of women in the Dutch upper class. To fully appreciate this artwork, one might delve into fashion history resources, etiquette manuals, and social commentaries from the period. By doing so, we can understand how Dekker's image both reflects and subtly critiques the societal norms that shaped the lives of women in 19th-century Netherlands.