Portret van een meisje met witte klederdrachtmuts en waaier in de hand 1877 - 1900

This portrait was made by Jacob Kuyper, dating back to the late 19th or early 20th century, and it is a photographic print. The sepia tones and the oval format speak to the conventions of studio portraiture at that time, yet we shouldn't overlook the textile traditions represented here. Notice the girl’s crisp white bonnet and the patterned fabric of her dress. These aren’t just decorative elements; they're markers of cultural identity and perhaps even familial status. The very act of creating these textiles – spinning, weaving, stitching – was a significant form of labor, traditionally performed by women. While photography was becoming increasingly industrialized, these garments retain a direct connection to the hand. Even the fan she holds, likely mass-produced, hints at a world of skilled craftsmanship. So, while we appreciate this image as a record of a young girl, let’s also consider the unseen labor woven into its very fabric.