Portret van een onbekende oude vrouw 1857 - 1864

This is a portrait of an unknown older woman, created by Wegner & Mottu. This photographic print invites us to consider the cultural values and social hierarchies of the time. The woman is formally posed, seated in a chair and adorned in the clothing of the middle class: her garments are richly decorated and layered. Yet, her identity remains a mystery, anonymized by history. What stories does she carry? How did she navigate a world of social expectations and gender roles? Photographs like these were often commissioned to portray status, but they also became a means for individuals to assert their presence in a rapidly changing society. The woman's gaze is direct, but also vulnerable, inviting introspection about age, identity and representation. It serves as a poignant reminder of the countless untold stories that shape our collective past.