Portret van Gurli Åberg met parasol 1860 - 1880

This is a mounted albumen print of Gurli Åberg with parasol, made by Selma Jacobsson, a Swedish photographer. In this late 19th-century carte-de-visite, we see a woman in a formal white dress, holding a parasol. Small portraits like this one were often collected in albums. The image suggests ideas about class, gender, and social roles. Photography at this time was becoming more accessible, yet portraiture still carried connotations of wealth and status. The sitter's elaborate dress and the artificial backdrop point to a constructed image of femininity. To understand this image better, we can research the history of photography, fashion, and portraiture. We can also explore the social history of Sweden during this period, looking at class structures, gender roles, and the professionalization of photography as a female occupation. These resources can help us better understand the cultural values and social structures of the time.