Vrouw met bezem wacht man op in deuropening 1897

This stereo card, made by R.Y. Young and copyrighted in 1897, presents a staged domestic scene, designed for mass consumption. It reflects the era's social dynamics, anxieties, and, perhaps, aspirations. The image depicts a woman, presumably a maid, with a feathered duster awaiting a man in formal attire. The setting hints at a middle-class home. Made in the United States, this image speaks to the burgeoning commercial photography industry and the Victorian fascination with domesticity and social roles. The title, "A Lady in Waiting," adds a layer of irony, highlighting the class divide and the performance of social roles. Stereo cards like this provided entertainment and a glimpse into different lives for a wide audience. By studying such images, along with census data, social commentaries, and company records, we can better understand the complex interplay of class, gender, and representation in late 19th-century America. Art, in this context, becomes a window into the social structures of its time.