Portret van Olefine Moe, staand bij een toilettafel 1868 - 1885

Rosalie Sjöman, a Swedish photographer, took this albumen silver print of Olefine Moe sometime in the mid-19th century. It captures Moe standing elegantly by a dressing table. The image provides a glimpse into the social conventions and gender roles of the time. Consider the performative nature of the portrait. Olefine is posed, presenting herself in a manner befitting societal expectations for women of her status. The dressing table itself, adorned with various objects, symbolizes domesticity and the importance placed on appearance. Photography in the 19th century was rapidly developing. It offered new ways to represent individuals and their social standing. Sjöman was a pioneering woman in a male-dominated field. She navigated the institutional structures of the art world. To further understand this photograph, one might research the history of photography in Sweden, the role of women in 19th-century society, and the development of portraiture as a means of social expression. By examining these contexts, we can gain a richer understanding of the photograph's meaning and significance.