Portret van een zittende vrouw en een staande man 1855 - 1870

Johannes Hermanus van der Heijden created this portrait of a seated woman and a standing man using the albumen print technique. During the nineteenth century, portraiture became increasingly accessible, yet remained laden with societal expectations. Note how the woman is seated, and how the man has his hand on her shoulder. What does this tell us about gender roles at the time? The photograph offers a glimpse into the cultural values and power dynamics of the era, and what was considered to be ideal relationships between men and women. The physical positioning of the subjects and the formality of dress reflect the rigid social structures that defined gender roles and relationships during this period. How does this representation resonate with or challenge contemporary understandings of identity and partnership?