Portret van een vrouw met oorbellen en gevlochten haren 1862 - 1871

This is a portrait of a woman with earrings and braided hair by Jacobus van Gorkom Jr. The photograph, small in scale, presents a profile view encased within an oval frame. The limited tonal range emphasizes form over color, directing our attention to the composition's structure. The framing draws attention to the interplay between containment and exposure, questioning how identity is both revealed and constructed within social conventions. The woman’s braided hair, elaborately styled, contrasts with the simplicity of her pose. It suggests a deliberate manipulation of natural elements to meet cultural standards of beauty. The minimal background and tight crop remove the sitter from any specific context, turning her into a study of form and texture. This invites viewers to consider the semiotics of portraiture and the cultural codes embedded in representations of femininity. The very act of framing and displaying the portrait underscores how images mediate our understanding of self and others.