Portret van een vrouw met muts 1863 - 1895

Curator: This portrait, simply titled "Portret van een vrouw met muts" was taken sometime between 1863 and 1895 by Charles Jacotin. The photograph is an albumen print. Editor: There's something incredibly stoic about her gaze, isn't there? And the tones, so muted, give it such a reserved feel. Curator: It’s interesting to consider albumen prints within the context of photographic processes at that time. It involved coating paper with egg whites, then exposing it to a negative. The labor-intensive aspect really connects it to other handcrafted practices. The photographic print becomes a physical artifact. Editor: That's true; there is a strong sense of the hand at work here. But what does this woman’s clothing suggest about her? That high-necked, patterned dress—and the demure hat –speaks of modesty and a certain societal positioning. This portrait is framed inside the album. She's preserved in cultural memory and accessed when the pages are flipped. Curator: Yes, the detail in the patterned fabric draws me in, such close attention paid to representing this specific garment. Was it ready-made, or fashioned at home, demonstrating textile skill? Understanding the means of its creation tells us more about the economics of the time. Editor: Precisely! And the jewelry, very understated earrings and brooch – speaks to values. She presents herself in a certain way for posterity. She's someone who understands her place and uses visual cues to project an image. Curator: What is compelling here is imagining this woman situated in a burgeoning industrial economy where new forms of production are shifting social and class identities. Her image captures a pivotal time. Editor: Indeed. Considering those social implications enhances the photograph beyond simply a composed image and situates her presence in history, her gaze an echo that we can still respond to today.