Portret van mogelijk Marie Jordan c. 1881 - 1903

Editor: This is a fascinating photograph titled "Portrait of possibly Marie Jordan" from sometime between 1881 and 1903, currently at the Rijksmuseum and attributed to Max Cosman. It looks like a gelatin silver print that someone has touched up with colored pencils. The image has this quiet, almost wistful feel to it, and it makes me wonder who this woman was. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Oh, I feel that wistfulness, too! And then I immediately imagine this very woman stepping right out of the frame and telling me about her life, all her hopes and what the world was like back then! This, to me, transcends just a picture; the portrait acts as this delicate bridge connecting us to the past. You see the soft lighting that seems to caress her face, a deliberate choice to enhance her gentleness and inherent beauty? Editor: I do, it's like the light emphasizes the softness in her eyes. But tell me, what is it that speaks to you the most from the historical context? Curator: It is the democratization of portraiture through photography, actually! This era marked a shift, where capturing likeness became accessible to more than just the wealthy elite who would get a painting commissioned. Looking closer at the material, it looks like we're dealing with a hybrid – a gelatin silver print with colored pencil enhancements. These are little details that tells tales of both technological advancement and artistic yearning, that need to find a way of coloring a still monochrome world. Does the image say anything about women in the late 19th century? Editor: I hadn’t really considered the economic impact! It definitely reflects women's evolving roles and self-perception back then. Curator: Precisely. It shows both a longing for the traditional artistry and the embracing of the future; and maybe Marie was eager to leave a personal mark, too! It really makes you ponder, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely, it adds a whole new layer to my appreciation. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, that was really helpful!