Portret van een onbekende vrouw met strik in het haar 1864 - 1902

This is a print of an unknown woman with a bow in her hair, made by Paul Parmentier in the late 19th century. Consider the way in which this image creates meaning through visual codes. Parmentier was a Dutch artist, and the Netherlands in this period had very distinct social structures, with class divisions clearly visible in cultural life and politics. It's worth asking whether the woman depicted here is from the upper or lower classes? What visual cues would suggest one or the other? Also, is the artist commenting on the social structures of his time? Is he being conservative or progressive? These are just a few of the questions that art historians ask when studying art. By looking at the social and institutional context in which art is made, we can gain a better understanding of its meaning and significance.