Portret van een vrouw c. 1834 - 1844

Here we have "Portret van een vrouw" a pencil drawing by Christian Heinrich Gottlieb Steuerwald. Steuerwald made this portrait during the early to mid-19th century, a period defined by strict social roles and expectations, particularly for women. The woman's identity is unknown, but the details of her attire and hairstyle offer insight into her social standing. Her elaborate lace collar and meticulously arranged hair suggest a woman of some means, adhering to the fashion ideals of the time. Her gaze, though direct, carries a sense of restraint, perhaps reflecting the limited agency afforded to women in that era. Steuerwald's choice of pencil lends a softness to the portrait, yet it also hints at the delicate balance women had to strike between visibility and propriety. While this portrait is a conventional representation of women of the time, it also invites us to reflect on the constraints and expectations that shaped their lives.