Portret van een staande vrouw met boek in de hand 1882 - 1890

This portrait of a standing woman with a book in hand was captured by Sawyer & Bird using a photographic process. The sepia tones create a muted, almost dreamlike quality, focusing our attention on the geometric structure within the frame. The woman's figure is rigidly posed, bisecting the vertical plane, while the soft curve of her arm echoes the rounded arch above. Note how the dark fabric of her dress contrasts with the light background, a play of contrasts that defines shape and form. This photograph exists not merely as a representation but as a constructed sign. The book, the dress, and the deliberate pose all serve as signifiers within a complex cultural code. The structural arrangement of these elements suggests a rigid social structure, a system of signs dictating identity and status. The formal composition of the photograph invites us to consider its role in defining and reinforcing societal norms.