Portret van Carolina Frederika van den Berg-Holle 1868

Woodbury & Page made this portrait of Carolina Frederika van den Berg-Holle using photographic techniques to capture a serene, yet formal, representation. The composition is structured around the interplay of textures and shapes, predominantly in muted tones, which invites a close inspection of its semiotic and material qualities. Note how the smooth, almost reflective quality of Carolina’s dress contrasts with the intricate patterns on the table cloth, and the elaborate woodwork of the chair. This contrast draws our eye across the image, creating a visual rhythm. The artist uses the formal elements to convey a sense of status and dignity through the subject's posture and attire. Consider how this image functions as a cultural artifact, reflecting the values and social structures of its time. The portrait offers a glimpse into the construction of identity through the lens of 19th-century photographic conventions. In this carefully arranged composition, Woodbury & Page invite us to consider how photography itself participates in shaping our understanding of reality.