Portret van Adriana Werner-Droogendijk met haar eerste kind, Catharina Lamberdina (* 1854) 1855 - 1856

This is an early photograph of Adriana Werner-Droogendijk with her first child, Catharina Lamberdina, likely made shortly after Catharina's birth in 1854 by an anonymous photographer. The image offers a glimpse into the lives of women during the mid-19th century, especially into the role of motherhood, which was so central to a woman's identity. Adriana's stern gaze and the formal setting speak to the gravity of portraiture at a time when photography was still a relatively new and serious endeavor. The detailed attention to her dress and the delicate presentation of the child are indicative of the sitter's social standing and the cultural values placed on family and lineage. Though the photographer remains unknown, the image stands as a testament to the power of visual representation in shaping and preserving personal and collective histories. It prompts us to consider the untold stories of women whose lives were often confined to the domestic sphere, yet whose experiences form an integral part of our shared cultural heritage.