Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1852 - 1890

Willem Linnig the Younger created this portrait of an unknown woman using etching techniques in the late 19th century. Linnig was working in a time where representing women was often about conveying ideals of beauty or morality, yet here we see a turn towards a more intimate, less idealized portrayal. The woman's direct gaze and somewhat informal attire, including a lace head covering, suggest a departure from the rigid societal expectations placed on women in that era. Was she from the rising middle class, eager to display newfound status, or perhaps a woman challenging the conventions of her time through her self-presentation? The lack of idealization invites us to consider her individual identity beyond societal roles. "Who was she beyond the expectations of her time?" a question that echoes through the delicate lines of this etching. This work, therefore, becomes an exploration of identity, hinting at the complex interplay between personal expression and societal constraint during the late 1800s.