Portret van een vrouw c. 1870 - 1874

This portrait of a woman, was captured by Wilhelm J. Grammann using photography, and is, in itself, a cultural artifact. Notice the bow she wears. Throughout history, bows, ribbons, and knots have been used as symbols in many cultures. In ancient times, knots symbolized commitment, contracts, and the binding of promises. The Gordian Knot, for example, represented an intricate problem, cut through by Alexander the Great, symbolizing decisive action. Later, during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, ribbon motifs were used to suggest secret love. Here, the presence of the bow is a representation of the woman’s role in society and the family, and is a statement about her place in the culture. It has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings across time. It is through these symbols that the past speaks to us, shaping our understanding.