Portret van een onbekende jonge vrouw 1880 - 1900

This photograph of an unknown young woman is held by an Art Nouveau frame, likely made by Louis Stüting und Sohn. Its design is based on whiplash curves and floral motifs, common in the decorative style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The frame is likely cast in bronze, then finished with a green patinated surface to resemble aged copper. The casting process would have allowed for relatively quick reproduction, and the relatively low cost of bronze would have made the frame accessible to a middle-class market. The Art Nouveau style stood in an ambiguous relationship to industrialization, and it embraced both handmade and machine-made elements. This photograph frame is a reminder that the history of art is intertwined with the history of industry and consumerism. By considering the materials and methods used to create this object, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its cultural and historical significance.