Twee portretten van een onbekende vrouw voor een achtergronddoek 1855 - 1863

These are two portraits of an unknown woman in front of a backdrop, made by Charles Nègre using salted paper. Nègre was working during a pivotal time in photography, as it was evolving from a scientific tool to an art form. These portraits reflect the social conventions of the era, but also hint at the complexities of identity and representation. The woman's elaborate dress and poised stance speak to the expectations placed on women of a certain social standing, while the backdrop suggests a constructed reality, blurring the line between artifice and authenticity. Consider how Nègre's artistic choices—the lighting, composition, and even the backdrop—contribute to our understanding of the sitter. Does it maintain traditional representations, or develop alternative narratives about identity, class and femininity? While seemingly straightforward, this image invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in portraiture and the ways in which gender and social class intersect.