Portret van een vrouw 1894 - 1907

This is a portrait of an unknown woman, made by the photography studio of Koene & Büttinghausen. Looking at this image, it is important to remember that portrait photography in the 19th century was a practice deeply intertwined with societal norms and class distinctions. Photography offered a new way to produce likenesses, yet the subject was most likely part of the upper class, evidenced by her elegant attire. Notice the lace details of her blouse and the delicate jewelry. The woman's reserved composure aligns with the expectations of feminine virtue, subtly reinforcing the limited roles women occupied at the time. What might it have meant for a woman to present herself in this carefully composed manner? This photograph captures not just an individual, but the complex interplay of identity, representation, and social expectations of the era.