Portret van een staande vrouw, leunend op de leuning van een fauteuil 1878 - 1903

Johannes Gerardus Kramer made this carte-de-visite, a small photograph, showing a standing woman leaning on the armrest of an armchair. This image offers a glimpse into the rigid social conventions of the late 19th century. The woman's formal attire and composed posture reflect the era's emphasis on modesty and decorum. Yet, there's a palpable tension in her gaze. It’s difficult to know her personal story but it’s easy to imagine the constraints placed upon women of the time. The photograph, typical of its time, hints at societal expectations that often confined women to prescribed roles. Her expression, though, suggests a quiet resistance, a subtle challenge to the camera's objective eye. This tension between societal expectations and individual expression invites us to reflect on the complex negotiations of identity in the past.