Portret van een vrouw 1861 - 1900

This is a carte-de-visite photograph by Carel Eduard Westerborg, showcasing a woman in delicate tones. Note the brooch she wears, centrally placed, drawing the eye. Throughout history, the brooch has served not just as adornment, but as a symbol of status and memory. In ancient times, it clasped garments, signifying unity and protection. Later, in mourning jewelry, it became a vessel for remembrance, holding hair or portraits of the departed. Consider the way personal adornments echo in the grander narratives of art. From ancient Egyptian pectorals to Renaissance pendants, jewelry has long served as a potent symbol of identity. Here, the brooch subtly yet powerfully connects the sitter to broader cultural currents. These symbols are never static; they continually resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, weaving through the fabric of time.