Portret van Elsie DeWitt, poserend voor een spiegel 1899

This is a photograph entitled "Portret van Elsie DeWitt, poserend voor een spiegel", made in March of 1899 by A. Lincoln Myers. In it, Elsie DeWitt poses in an opulent fur-trimmed outfit, reflected in a mirror, which multiplies her image to create an array of almost identical figures. It is worth considering how the historical context of this artwork shapes its meaning. As a woman in the late 19th century, Elsie DeWitt's identity was shaped by the societal expectations and limitations placed on women during this era. The photograph seems to acknowledge these constraints while also exploring the possibilities of self-expression and image-making. Through the use of the mirror, Myers and DeWitt prompt us to reflect on the nature of identity and representation. What does it mean to see oneself multiplied, and how does this affect our understanding of self? Does this repetition empower or diminish Elsie's individuality? Myers, through this photograph, invites us to contemplate the complexities of identity and representation in a rapidly changing world.