Portret van een onbekende jonge vrouw 1900 - 1914

This is a photograph of an unknown young woman by J.H. Hontzel. Although the date of the artwork is unknown, the sitter's clothing and the photographic style suggest it was produced in the early 20th century, a period of significant social and political change in Europe. Looking at the image, the woman's coat and hat suggests she is a member of the middle or upper class. The fact that she is having her portrait taken indicates a degree of social status and economic power, because in this period, photographic portraits were not equally accessible to all members of society. The question of female representation also comes into play. How do women choose to present themselves, and what social factors influence their choices? To fully understand the photograph, we can turn to archives and museum collections, looking at how women were represented in similar photographs and other forms of media in the early 20th century. In doing so, we can explore the social conditions that shaped this image.