Portret van een onbekende vrouw before 1899

This is a photograph by Frédéric Boissonnas of an unknown woman. It was made in Geneva, Switzerland. Boissonnas was part of a family dynasty of photographers, and as such, we should consider the institutional role of this business in shaping photographic culture. He was particularly known for his work in Greece, and in a way this image seems to echo classical traditions. The woman is draped in a white gown. The soft focus and shallow depth of field give the image a dreamlike quality. As historians, we could consider the social context of this image by researching the photographic industry in Geneva during this period, and the changing roles of women. We might also compare this image to other portraits of the time, paying attention to pose, clothing, and setting. Only then can we ask what this photograph might have meant to its original audience.