Studioportret van twee onbekende vrouwen before 1900

These studio portraits of two unknown women were made using engraving and electrotyping, processes developed in the mid-19th century. They provide insight into the social and cultural context of portraiture in that era. The images create meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Photography was a rapidly developing industry, and the Franklin Engraving and Electrotyping Co. played a role in the evolution of the medium. These portraits capture a sense of middle-class life, as indicated by the subjects' clothing and the staged settings. The poses and props are carefully arranged, reflecting a self-conscious effort to present a particular image. The act of staging a photograph and then circulating it through popular media outlets speaks to the increasing commodification of images during this time. Studying these portraits and the history of the Franklin Engraving and Electrotyping Co., through resources such as trade directories and period publications, helps us understand the social and institutional context in which they were made. Art's meaning is contingent on these factors, highlighting the importance of historical interpretation.