Portret van een vrouw, mogelijk Rafaela van Lansberge-del Villar 1870 - 1875

This studio portrait of a woman, possibly Rafaela van Lansberge-del Villar, was made by De Lavieter & Co. in the Netherlands, at an unknown date. Photography in the 19th century was deeply entwined with social status. The cost of sitting for a portrait and the cultural value placed on capturing one's likeness meant that photography was largely the domain of the bourgeoisie. Consider the sitter's jewelry and the lace detailing on her dress. These are visual markers of her social standing and hint at the economic structures that afforded her this photographic opportunity. Photography studios like De Lavieter & Co. played a crucial role in shaping visual culture by standardizing portrait styles and catering to the tastes of their clientele. To fully understand this image, we would need to research the history of photography in the Netherlands, the social conventions surrounding portraiture, and the biographies of both the sitter and the photographers. Only then can we appreciate the complex interplay between art, commerce, and social identity in this seemingly simple portrait.