Portret van een oude vrouw met muts 1861 - 1880

Carel Eduard Westerborg created this portrait of an unknown older woman using photography, a relatively new medium, in the 19th century. The woman's attire—her dark, formal dress and modest bonnet—speak to the conventions of middle-class portraiture during this period. Consider the limited roles afforded to women, particularly older women, in the 1800s, as they often were confined to the domestic sphere. The woman’s gaze is direct but softened, as if navigating the prescribed decorum while asserting her presence. Photographs such as this one allowed for a democratization of portraiture, yet it's essential to reflect on who had access and could afford these portraits, as it was usually the middle and upper classes. This image captures a moment of quiet dignity and hints at the stories of women whose lives often went unrecorded.