Portret van onbekende vrouw 1833 - 1842

Lodewijk Anthony Vintcent made this portrait of an unknown woman at an unknown date. During the 19th century, portraits were a mark of status. Often commissioned by the wealthy, they reflect a desire to solidify one’s position in society. This work, however, leaves us with a sense of mystery; the woman's identity is unknown, and the artist died young at the age of 29. The woman’s gaze is direct, yet gentle. Her fashion – the flower in her hair, the shawl draped over her shoulders – speaks to the conventions of feminine beauty. But what does it mean to capture a likeness without a name? Does the absence of identity democratize the image, or does it erase the individual’s history? Consider how our reading of the portrait shifts with this ambiguity. This lithograph invites us to consider the untold stories of women in the 19th century, and how their representation in art both reflects and shapes our understanding of their lives.