Portret van Hiltje, mogelijk de vrouw van Klaas Kelderman c. 1870 - 1900

Atélier Siewers made this portrait of Hiltje, possibly the wife of Klaas Kelderman, using photographic techniques that were becoming increasingly accessible. During a time when photography was solidifying its role in society, portraits like these captured not just likenesses, but also a sense of identity and status. Consider Hiltje’s attire: the high-necked dress, the delicate jewelry, and the carefully arranged hair. These details speak to a certain level of social standing and adherence to the era’s conventions of femininity. But what does it mean to be the 'wife of'? How much of Hiltje’s individual identity is interwoven with her marital role? While the photograph adheres to traditional portraiture, it also hints at the complexities of women’s lives during that period. Looking at Hiltje’s face, we can only wonder about her personal aspirations and experiences, the stories that lie beneath the surface of this formal representation.