Portret van een zittende oude vrouw 1862 - 1899

Willem Gerhardus Kuijer created this small portrait of a seated older woman, though it is undated. The photograph captures an intimate moment, as the woman’s expression seems both reserved and quietly contemplative. The historical context of this image is revealing; during the late 19th century, portraiture was heavily shaped by gender and age. Older women were often portrayed in ways that emphasized domesticity and virtue. Kuijer, however, avoids idealizing his subject. Instead, he gives us a glimpse into the lived experience of aging. Consider the woman’s clothing and posture. The fabric hints at middle-class status, yet her attire seems practical rather than ostentatious. Her hands rest in her lap, suggesting a life marked by labor and care. What does it mean to see the traces of time etched on a woman's face? How might this image challenge or reinforce societal expectations about femininity and aging? This portrait invites us to reflect on the narratives we construct around identity.