Scène uit Assepoester 1867

"Scène uit Assepoester" presents a stereo card likely created in the late 19th century by Charles Dauvois, a period marked by burgeoning theatricality and photographic innovation. This work invites us into a scene from Cinderella, filtered through the lens of 19th-century social mores. Stereo cards such as this one were a popular form of entertainment, offering a window into staged narratives, often reinforcing societal norms through familiar tales. Notice how the characters are posed, their attire and gestures hinting at a hierarchy of class and gender expectations which underpin the Cinderella story. Consider the tale itself: a young woman’s worth measured by her beauty and eventual marriage to a prince. It’s hard to ignore that it presents a narrative deeply entrenched in patriarchal structures. The image asks us to consider how stories shape our understanding of ourselves and others. In what ways do traditional stories limit or expand our understanding of identity? How does the performance of identity, as seen here, reflect or challenge societal expectations? As you consider the art, think about the stories we tell ourselves and the roles we are asked to play.