Portret van een onbekend meisje met een hond before 1898

This black and white photograph of an unknown girl with a dog was created by the Baker Art Gallery. The image, part of a book about the colour process, offers insight into the cultural values and social structures of its time. The girl's elaborate dress and the presence of a well-groomed pug suggest an affluent background. The setting, with its grand staircase and classical architectural details, further reinforces this impression of wealth and social standing. Considering this, one might ask, what role did portraiture play in reinforcing class distinctions during this period? How did photography, as a relatively new medium, contribute to the construction of social identities? To understand this image, we could research the Baker Art Gallery and its clientele. Were they known for catering to a particular social class? Examining publications and archives related to photographic studios of the time would shed light on the social and institutional context of the work.