Portret van een onbekende vrouw uit de familie Marmelstein 1850 - 1900

This is Cornelis Johannes Dirksen's photograph of an unknown woman from the Marmelstein family. The photograph presents us with a woman adorned in the attire of her time, seated with a composed demeanor. What stories might her clothing tell? The elaborate bonnet and patterned dress speak to the sartorial customs of middle-class women. What does it mean to perform femininity in this era, especially within a family of Jewish heritage? I’m left wondering about her untold story. The lack of a title draws attention to the identity of women within the domestic sphere. In contrast to prevalent narratives of her time, she isn't defined by her relationship to men. It seems as though Dirksen captures a sense of self-possession, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity and representation.