Portret van een onbekende oude vrouw en onbekende jonge vrouw 1855 - 1900

This portrait of two unknown women was created by John George Kirby in the late 19th or early 20th century using the then-popular cabinet card format. During this time, photography studios flourished, offering affordable portraits to a growing middle class. The cultural significance of such images lies in their ability to document individual likeness and family relationships within specific social contexts. Consider the conventions of dress and pose: what do they tell us about the sitters’ class, status, or aspirations? We can also analyze the role of photography studios in shaping social identities and norms. Were these institutions conservative in their approach, or did they offer a space for challenging established conventions? By consulting historical archives, fashion records, and studio directories, we can gain valuable insights into the lives of the sitters and the social forces that shaped the creation and reception of this photograph.