Portret van een staand meisje 1880 - 1906

Max Büttinghausen created this portrait of a standing girl using photography sometime in the late 19th century. During this period, childhood was increasingly idealized. The photograph captures the innocence of youth but it also offers a glimpse into the social expectations placed on young girls. Her formal attire, including a decorative bonnet and pristine white dress, reflect the era's emphasis on modesty and refinement. Though seemingly straightforward, the photograph invites reflection on how gender and class shaped the experiences of children. The girl's identity is carefully constructed through clothing and pose, presenting an image of bourgeois respectability. There is a tension between her individual presence and the prescribed role she is being molded into. We are left to ponder on the complex interplay between identity, representation, and the lived experiences of young girls in this era.