Portret van een paar c. 1865

This photograph titled 'Portret van een paar', or 'Portrait of a Couple', was created by F.D. van Rosmalen & Zoon. The portrait reflects the rigid social structures of the time it was made. The woman is seated, holding a book and wearing a dark, ornate dress which represents the domestic role she had. Her body is confined by the dress and chair, contrasting with the man who stands next to her. His stance and attire signal his social power and active role outside the home. The woman’s body language is of a woman who is reserved, in comparison to the man who has a relaxed stance, connoting control and authority. Portraits like this reveal the expectations placed on individuals, influenced by gender and class. It stands as a poignant reminder of the personal constraints within broader societal norms.