Mathilde Wachenheimer-Wertheimer als jonge vrouw gezeten voor een decor met een trap 1885 - 1900

This photographic print by Fritz Walloth depicts Mathilde Wachenheimer-Wertheimer as a young woman seated before a backdrop with a staircase. The image encapsulates the formal conventions of studio portraiture at the turn of the century. The constructed setting with its painted backdrop, potted plants and classical statuary, are all visual cues designed to denote respectability and social standing. Made in Germany, this portrait hints at the sitter's bourgeois aspirations, and we can imagine how Mathilde, or her family, wanted her to be seen. The photographic studio, which catered to the upwardly mobile middle classes, served an important social function. To better understand its significance, we might investigate the history of photography as a tool for social mobility, explore the role of women in German society at the time, or research the history of the Wachenheimer-Wertheimer family. By situating this portrait within its historical context, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its cultural significance.