Portrait of a Girl c. 1853 - 1854

Editor: This is William Henry Furness Jr.'s "Portrait of a Girl" at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking image, the girl's red choker really pops against the dark background. What can you tell me about the social context of portraits like this? Curator: It's interesting how that single red element draws your eye. Portraiture of young women, particularly in the 19th century, often served a very specific social function. Can you think of what that might be? Editor: Well, it feels like these portraits would solidify a family's status, perhaps displaying wealth and lineage? Curator: Precisely. And how the sitter is presented – her dress, her demeanor – all plays into that narrative. This particular portrait, with its modest attire, suggests a specific type of gentility. Food for thought on how images actively participate in constructing social identity. Editor: I never considered how much these images could be used to set the stage!