Portret van een jonge vrouw 1884 - 1890

Johan Gerard Lubbers made this photographic portrait of a young woman, sometime around the turn of the 20th century in the Netherlands. Photography at this time, having been around for only about 50 years, was becoming a more democratic medium. While it was still primarily the domain of the middle and upper classes, it was becoming more accessible. This particular image gives us a peek into the visual culture of the late 19th century. The framing of the shot, the woman's attire, and even the style of the photographic print itself speak to the formal conventions of portraiture in that era. The photographer, listed at the bottom as ‘J.G. Lubbers, Zwolle’, was from that Dutch city. The placement of his name indicates the institutional role of photography and the self-promotion involved. By studying the archives of photography studios, family albums, and other historical records, we can gain a richer understanding of the social dynamics of the time and the role of art within it.