Portret van een staande vrouw 1859 - 1866

This is a photograph of a standing woman made by Adrien Barboni sometime in the mid-19th century. It’s a small picture, only about 8 cm tall, but the woman fills the frame, dressed in a substantial dark gown. Think about what went into the making of this image. Photography was still a relatively new technology, requiring specialized equipment and chemical processes. And, of course, the woman herself had to sit still for the exposure. The dress she wears is equally significant. The fabric, the cut, the embellishments – all speak to a certain level of affluence and social standing. It probably took hours of labor to produce. In a way, this photograph is a double portrait, capturing not only the likeness of the woman but also the material culture of her time. It reminds us that even the simplest image is the result of many hands, and a reflection of its historical context.