Groepsportret van vijf vrouwen en meisjes, uitgedost als fruitplukkers 1873

This is a small photograph by F.H. Smith depicting five women and girls dressed as fruit pickers. The image presents an interesting tableau of social roles and aspirations in its time. The photograph invites us to consider the representation of women and labor in the 19th century. The sitters are wearing costumes and are theatrically posed with props. They appear as if they were acting on a stage, rather than genuinely working. This form of dressing up can be understood through the lens of class identity, where the act of portraying oneself in a certain role reflects the sitter's social status. The image is more about aspiration and fantasy than the realities of labor. Understanding its context requires that we consider the history of photography as a tool for constructing and communicating social identity. Research into the photographic studios of the time, as well as the prevailing social attitudes towards women and work, can offer us deeper insights into this intriguing image.