Portret van een vrouw 1881 - 1901

The "Portret van een vrouw" is a small albumen print made by the Cordes brothers. It’s a window into the rigid social structures and emerging photographic practices of the 19th century. This portrait captures a woman in a dark, formal dress adorned with a star-shaped brooch. Her gaze is direct. The photograph reflects the era's emphasis on decorum and the sitter's social standing. The lack of personal details invites us to consider the broader role of women in society. This was a time when their identities were often circumscribed by marital status and domestic duties. In the 19th century, photography democratized portraiture, yet it also codified social norms. Consider how the subject is framed within the constraints of her time, and reflect on the silent narratives of identity, representation, and the complex interplay of gender and class.