Portret van een vrouw onder een boom 1899

This small stereograph shows a woman standing in a garden, photographed by Geldolph Adriaan Kessler. Kessler, born into a wealthy family, lived through a period of significant social change, witnessing both the privileges of his class and the broader shifts in European society. The woman, possibly a member of Kessler's social circle, is positioned beneath a tree, her attire reflecting the fashion and social norms of the era. While the image appears straightforward, it subtly reveals the dynamics of gender and class. Women of this period were often portrayed in domestic or natural settings, reinforcing notions of femininity and their roles within the home. Kessler’s choice to capture this moment speaks to the cultural values of his time, where portraiture served as a means of documenting social status. Yet, the simplicity of the composition invites us to reflect on the lives and experiences of women within these constraints, and the personal narratives that existed beyond the formal representation.