Portret van een vrouw 1880 - 1900

This portrait of a woman was made in France by Nadar, using photography, sometime in the mid-19th century. Nadar was one of the pioneers of portrait photography, which became a widespread phenomenon in Paris at this time. As photography democratized portraiture, this artwork reflects how images were used to shape identities and social roles. In this portrait, the sitter's delicate lace and floral hairpiece speak to the importance of fashion and display in constructing a feminine ideal. But it also marks a moment when women were starting to challenge these restrictive ideals. Historians use a wide variety of sources – fashion plates, literature, and social commentary – to more fully understand images like these. By combining visual analysis with historical research, we can better understand the complex relationship between art, identity, and society.