Portret van mevrouw Génis 1855

Joseph Schubert made this print of Mrs. Génis using lithography, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century. The portrait captures the sitter's likeness, but also tells us much about the social conventions of the time. Made in the Netherlands, the print reflects the conservative tastes of the Dutch middle class. Mrs. Génis is depicted with modesty and restraint. Her dress is simple, and her hair is neatly arranged. The lace bonnet is the only sign of adornment. The overall impression is one of respectability and decorum. This was a society where the display of wealth was frowned upon, and where the emphasis was on hard work and thrift. Portraits like these upheld those values. To understand this image further, we would need to research the social history of the Netherlands. By looking at sources like fashion plates, household inventories, and etiquette manuals, we can gain insight into the lives of middle-class women.