Portret van een onbekende vrouw uit de familie Marmelstein 1850 - 1900

This is a portrait by Jacques Pilartz, made with photography. While the sitter is unknown, she belonged to the Marmelstein family. The portrait gives us a glimpse into the world of bourgeois women of the time. The woman is formally dressed, her pose and clothing speaking to the conventions of class and gender. During this period, women were often represented as symbols of domesticity and virtue, and while the portrait does adhere to the visual language of representation, there’s also a sense of individuality present. What I mean is, her gaze, while demure, seems to hold a sense of self-awareness, suggesting a narrative beyond societal expectations. Even though the photograph is of one individual, it speaks to broader societal issues about the roles ascribed to women. It's a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in portraiture, where identity is both revealed and concealed.