Fotoreproductie van (vermoedelijk) een prent, voorstellend een vrouwfiguur met loshangende haren in een lang gewaad c. 1860 - 1900

This is Giorgio Sommer's reproduction of an earlier print, made sometime between 1834 and 1914. Sommer was a German photographer who spent most of his career in Italy, catering to the burgeoning tourist industry. Here, Sommer captures a figure that is both ethereal and grounded. The flowing robes and loose hair evoke a sense of freedom, challenging the restrictive social norms placed on women during the 19th century. The upward gaze suggests longing, perhaps a yearning for liberation. Sommer's choice to photograph this subject—likely a recreation of an allegorical figure—speaks to the cultural fascination with romanticism and the idealization of women. This photograph invites us to reflect on the historical context of female representation in art and society, and how these images both shaped and reflected the complex realities of gender, identity, and desire.