Portret van een meisje, leunend op een stoel

This is a photograph, made by Wegner & Mottu, showing a girl leaning on a chair. Though undated, the clothing and photographic style suggests it was made sometime in the late 19th century. During this period, photography studios rose to prominence in urban centers throughout Europe, and the professional portrait became an important means of displaying social status. It is worth noting the studio setting, replete with draped fabric and a decorative chair, which act as props designed to elevate the sitter. These details speak volumes about the sitter's family and their aspirations. The social function of such photographs can be better understood by researching local history archives, which often contain a wealth of information about middle class families. By focusing on the social and institutional histories of photography, we begin to understand what this image meant to those who commissioned it.