Portret van een jonge vrouw 1860 - 1890

This is a portrait of a young woman by J. Temporel, we don’t know exactly when it was made, but it’s a photograph, so likely in the late 19th century when the medium became more widely accessible. The woman is dressed in clothing typical of the era, a high-necked blouse with a bow, yet her gaze hints at something more than the demure appearance dictated by society. She has her arms crossed, perhaps a sign of self-possession, in a time when women were often relegated to the domestic sphere. The photograph is small, personal, suggesting it was perhaps intended for private viewing, a memento. The lack of information about both the sitter and the photographer, J. Temporel, invites us to consider the countless untold stories of women and artists whose lives remain largely unrecorded in history. It’s a testament to the power of images to evoke untold stories, making us wonder about her life, her dreams, and her place in a rapidly changing world.