Portret van een onbekende jonge vrouw 1866 - 1878

Anthony Martinus Hayo Polman created this photograph of an unknown young woman. The portrait offers a window into the visual codes and social conventions of its time. Made in the Netherlands, this photographic print, part of a carte-de-visite, reflects the growing accessibility of photography to the middle classes, and the way its conventions were used for the purpose of social representation. Consider the sitter's clothing, hairstyle, and jewelry. The image creates meaning through cultural references and historical associations. How does her attire reflect the fashion and social norms of the time? What does her poised demeanor tell us about the expectations placed on women in Dutch society? In approaching this photograph as an historian, we can turn to sources like fashion plates, social etiquette manuals, and demographic records to better understand the culture and institutions that shaped its creation.