Portret van een onbekende lezende vrouw met paraplu 1855 - 1885

Marcello Tommasi made this photograph of an unknown woman, likely in Italy, using the then newly-developed medium of carte-de-visite. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of society beyond the elite. The woman's attire and accessories tell us about the social expectations and gender roles of the time. She is wearing an elaborate dress, which signifies a certain level of social standing and wealth, though it is not as opulent as upper class garments. Her stern expression speaks to the perceived dignity and moral propriety expected of women in public life. The umbrella suggests the need to protect oneself from the elements, but also represents the controlled environment in which a woman was expected to live. As historians, we can delve into the cultural norms and institutional frameworks of the time by consulting photographs, conduct books, etiquette manuals, and fashion plates. These sources can reveal the nuanced ways in which photography was used to construct and reinforce social identities.