Portret van een onbekend kind, staand op fauteuil 1877 - 1910

This is a vintage cabinet card photograph by Heinrich Wilhelm Wollrabe, showing an unidentified child standing on a chair. During the late 19th century, photography was becoming more accessible, yet remained a practice often reserved for the middle and upper classes. This portrait offers a glimpse into the constructed presentation of childhood during that era. The child, dressed in a pristine white dress, sturdy boots, and posed formally, embodies the Victorian ideals of innocence and decorum. The act of placing the child on a chair could symbolize raising them up, or it could be a tool to ensure they were in the shot. The child's expression is unreadable, inviting speculation about their thoughts and feelings. Wollrabe, who titled himself ‘Court photographer’ has created a lasting, albeit enigmatic, record of a life. This photograph encapsulates a moment frozen in time, prompting us to reflect on the layers of identity, representation, and the passage of time.