Portret van een vrouw met oorbellen 1880 - 1905

Editor: This is "Portret van een vrouw met oorbellen," or "Portrait of a Woman with Earrings," made sometime between 1880 and 1905 by Berend Mulder. It’s an albumen print. She looks so stern. What do you see in this portrait that maybe I’m missing? Curator: Stern, yes, but also remarkably self-possessed, don’t you think? The simplicity of the albumen print really strips away any artifice, leaving us with… almost an honesty, wouldn’t you say? And the oval format, so typical of the era, lends it a certain… I don’t know… romanticism, perhaps? What do you make of that dark dress against the light backdrop? Editor: It's interesting how the limited color palette focuses all the attention on her face and those little pearl earrings. Almost like a spotlight. Why albumen? Was it very common? Curator: Very common, indeed. The technique was prized for its incredible detail. Can you see the almost painful clarity of her gaze? Albumen brought out those fine details, almost too clinical for our eyes now, isn’t it? So tell me, does knowing it was almost a Victorian-era glamour shot change anything? Editor: Definitely. It reframes my perspective. The sternness seems more like posing now, or even… vulnerability? It is kind of striking that someone took the time and expense to create this. Thank you, this really opened my eyes. Curator: And it to mine, reminding me how easily we forget the performative aspect of even seemingly straightforward portraits! It really speaks to the humanity, doesn't it?