Portret van een jong paar c. 1885 - 1895

This small photograph of a young couple was made by Mrs. Maynard, an artist whose existence is now only documented through a handful of signed portraits. Considered within the history of photographic portraiture, this image highlights a shift in the accessibility of art forms. In the late 19th century, photography democratized portraiture, making it available to a wider social spectrum than painting ever could. The couple's attire suggests they were middle class, and their formal pose reflects the conventions of bourgeois portraiture at the time. The man's pocket watch is an interesting detail, perhaps a status symbol or a memento. This image is not just a representation of two individuals; it's a document reflecting social mobility and changing cultural norms around representation. As historians, we can use census records, directories, and business ledgers to illuminate Mrs. Maynard's career as a female photographer and the couple’s place in the social fabric of their time. These are the kinds of resources that reveal the full story behind the image.