Portret van een onbekend meisje, aangeduid als Lily, zittend aan tafel Possibly 1876

This small photograph by N.B. Ogren captures a young girl, tentatively named Lily, seated at a table. Studio portraits like this one were highly conventional. Here, the trappings of middle-class girlhood are carefully assembled—the ribbon in her hair, her patterned dress, the ornate table. Yet, the image hints at something more complex. Lily's direct gaze departs from traditional representations of childhood innocence. Her expression conveys a depth that belies her youth. The photograph offers a glimpse into the identity of young girls during this era. It prompts us to consider the expectations, constraints, and silent narratives that shaped their experiences. What power did Lily possess to shape her own representation? While this portrait presents an individual, it also speaks to the collective experiences of countless young women. It encourages us to reflect on their untold stories.