Portret van een onbekende vrouw bij een stoel 1868 - 1900

Hermanus Jodocus Weesing captured this photographic portrait of an unknown woman, and we might consider the chair she leans upon as more than mere support. It serves as a symbol of status and domesticity, a carefully constructed prop, if you will. Consider how chairs, thrones, and seats of power have been depicted across time—from ancient Egyptian pharaohs to medieval monarchs. The chair is a stage on which the sitter presents themselves to the world. Here, the woman’s posture and attire suggest a certain societal expectation and her face reads as serene, yet reserved, in a manner consistent with the conventions of the time. This seemingly simple pose—a hand resting on the back of a chair—echoes throughout art history, from classical portraiture to modern photography. It’s a way to convey composure and control, yet it also hints at a subtle tension, a performance of self. The chair is not just a piece of furniture; it's a cultural artifact loaded with historical and psychological weight.