Portret van een zittende oude vrouw 1860 - 1875

Robert Severin made this albumen print of a seated woman at an unknown date. In the 19th century, photography was a powerful tool for constructing and reinforcing social hierarchies. Consider the pose and attire of the sitter; the elaborate dress and controlled posture would have signified status and respectability. Photography provided a means for solidifying class distinctions through visual codes. This image might have been commissioned to represent the family's social standing within the community. The conventions of portraiture in that time were largely shaped by academic artistic traditions, such as painting. This work reflects photography's early struggle for recognition as a legitimate art form. To understand the photograph fully, we can delve into the history of photographic societies and exhibition practices. Through such avenues of historical research, the meaning of this portrait can be enriched by social and institutional context.