Portret van een zittende vrouw met waaier en een staande man leunend op een zuil 1884 - 1887

This is a portrait of a seated woman with a fan and a standing man leaning on a pillar, made by Charls & Van Es. The photograph offers a glimpse into the performance of gender and class in the late 19th century. The woman is seated, holding a fan, embodying conventional femininity. The man stands tall, positioned as her protector, leaning on a pillar. These poses were carefully constructed to convey respectability and social status. The backdrop and props also contribute to this narrative. However, if we look closer we can find the subtle ways the couple may be pushing at the boundaries of these roles, suggesting more nuanced identities beneath the surface. What emotions do you feel from their expressions? Does their connection transcend the conventions of the time? This photograph captures a moment in time, but it also invites us to contemplate the enduring complexities of identity, relationships, and societal expectations.