Portret van Jacoba Teves before 1869

A. Böeseken made this photograph of Jacoba Teves in Rotterdam using the Albumen process. This portrait provides a window into the identity and social standing of women in the Netherlands during the 19th century. Teves’ posture, dress and accessories speak to a specific construction of femininity that was highly valued during the Victorian era. Her elaborate dress with its restrictive corset, and her delicate hat reflect the era's emphasis on women's domestic roles and their confinement to the private sphere. The photograph subtly captures the tension between these societal expectations and individual expression. Note that while she adheres to the era's fashion and poses demurely, there is a hint of self-possession in her gaze that suggests a more complex identity. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the ways in which gender, class, and social norms intersect to shape individual experiences, and the subtle ways in which individuals can negotiate these constraints.