Portret van een vrouw 1865 - 1903

This is a photographic portrait of a woman, made by De Lavieter & Co. Consider the rise of photography in the 19th century, especially its impact on social dynamics. In this period, photography was becoming more accessible, democratizing portraiture beyond the elite. The sternness in the subject's expression and the formality of dress are visual codes that signal a particular social class and cultural value. These portraits are a sign of how the middle class was trying to make itself visible. Institutions like photography studios played a key role in shaping how people wanted to be seen. The very act of commissioning a portrait was a statement, an assertion of one's place in society. The study of photographs like this involves delving into archives, examining census records, and understanding the economic conditions that allowed for the rise of a new visual culture. It's a window into a world where representation itself became a form of social currency.