Portret van een staande vrouw 1860 - 1896

Louis Robert Werner made this photograph of an unknown standing woman. The photograph offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the 19th century. Consider the act of portraiture at this time; it was a statement of identity and social standing. The woman's modest dress, with its high neckline and simple embellishments, speaks to the values of the era. This was a time when women were often confined to the domestic sphere, and their identities were closely tied to notions of piety and domesticity. The photograph's small size suggests its function as a personal keepsake, an object of memory and connection. Its presence in the Rijksmuseum invites us to consider the ways in which individual lives intersect with broader historical narratives. It's a reminder that the past is not just a collection of grand events, but also a mosaic of personal experiences.