Portret van een staande vrouw c. 1870 - 1893

Bernardus Petrus Rabels created this portrait of a standing woman using an albumen print. Portraits like this were very common in the 19th century. This woman’s clothing speaks volumes about the values of the time, indicating a certain level of social standing. Her modest dress, high neckline, and covered arms align with the period's emphasis on female virtue and respectability. She holds a book, perhaps a symbol of intellect or piety, further reinforcing a narrative of the ideal woman. But how might she have felt about these expectations? Was this a true representation of her identity or a performance for the camera, a reflection of society's expectations? Does she have any agency? These images capture a moment, but they also invite us to reflect on the broader social and cultural forces that shaped the lives and representations of women during that era.