Portret van een vrouw 1875 - 1885

Eugene Guérin made this small portrait of a woman with photography, a medium then still in its relative infancy. Photography in the 19th century held a fascinating place in society. On the one hand, it was celebrated for its democratic potential, offering a way for the middle class to have their likeness captured, challenging the traditional dominance of painted portraits enjoyed by the elite. However, it also mirrored existing social hierarchies. Early photographic studios were often expensive, and the process of posing and printing was far from instantaneous, requiring a certain amount of leisure and patience. The sitter’s clothes are difficult to see and it is hard to tell her class. As historians, we can delve into archives, newspapers, and studio records from the period to understand the nuances of photographic practices and to reflect on the complex interplay between technological innovation and entrenched social structures.