Portret van een onbekende vrouw Possibly 1851

This is Johann Peter Berghaus's "Portret van een onbekende vrouw", made using lithography in the 19th century. Berghaus painted during a time of vast social change, especially for women. This portrait is typical of its time, but it also speaks to broader questions about the representation of women. While the subject's identity remains unknown, her attire and demeanor offer insights into the conventions and expectations of women in 19th-century society. Her bonnet and dress speak to the period's emphasis on modesty, but do they also hint at hidden aspects of her identity? Is she a mother, a wife, or an intellectual? This lithograph invites us to consider how individual stories intersect with the broader narrative of gender, class, and identity in 19th-century Europe, prompting us to reflect on the complex layers of personhood.