Portret van een zittende vrouw 1860 - 1880

Josef Salomon created this portrait of a seated woman using a photographic process of the time. The woman depicted, with her simple dress and matronly cap, embodies middle-class respectability. Yet, her gaze carries a weight of untold experiences. In many ways, this image adheres to traditional portraiture, capturing a sitter in a moment of composed stillness. However, the very act of photography was innovative, allowing for wider access to portraiture beyond the elite classes. I can’t help but wonder about the story behind the book placed on the table next to her. Is it a prayer book, a novel, or perhaps a symbol of her literacy and intellect? What dreams and limitations did she face in her life? What would she think if she knew her image was being contemplated today? In her gaze, we see a reflection of the complex negotiations of identity, womanhood, and representation in a rapidly changing world.