Portret van een staande vrouw 1860 - 1900

Jules Alexandre Joseph Delzor created this portrait of a standing woman using photography in the 19th century. It presents a young woman in what appears to be a studio setting, posing next to a small, ornate table. Photography in this period served as a powerful tool for constructing and disseminating social identities, reflecting the values and norms of the rising middle class in Europe. The woman's attire, the carefully arranged setting, and her composed demeanor all signal a desire to present a particular image of respectability. It's interesting to consider how photographic studios functioned as social institutions, shaping how people presented themselves to the world and participating in the broader cultural project of defining and reinforcing social hierarchies. To truly understand the photograph, we might delve into the historical archives of photography studios. We could examine their business practices and the social backgrounds of their clientele. This approach allows us to situate the artwork within its specific socio-economic context.