Portret van een man met een lange jas en een vrouw in een jurk c. 1895 - 1905

Woodbury & Page created this mounted albumen print, "Portret van een man met een lange jas en een vrouw in een jurk," that captures a sense of formal portraiture. The sepia tones and the symmetrical composition immediately suggest a constructed reality, framing the subjects within the social conventions of their time. The textures, from the man's coat to the elaborate details of the woman's dress, are meticulously rendered. Note how the photograph constructs meaning through the use of visual signs. The clothing and setting, a patterned backdrop and ornate furniture, all speak to the sitters' social status and self-presentation. Consider how the arrangement and the gaze of the subjects also play into the semiotics of portraiture. The subdued palette focuses attention on the subjects’ attire and posture, revealing a desire for permanence and respectability. This image is not merely a record; it's a tableau vivant, carefully arranged to convey specific messages about identity and societal role.