Portret van een zittende jonge vrouw met boek 1860 - 1880

This is Hermanus Siderius's portrait of a seated young woman with a book. The piece is a testament to the burgeoning culture of photography in the 19th century Netherlands. The woman's demure pose, combined with the book, speaks to the era's emphasis on female education and intellectual pursuits, within certain bounds. Her plaid dress, while fashionable, suggests a certain practicality. This would hint at the values upheld by the Dutch middle class of the time. The ornate chair she sits on speaks to a level of domestic comfort and social standing. Siderius, as a portraitist, was likely catering to the aspirations and self-image of this class. To truly understand this image, we can consult domestic records, fashion plates, and educational curricula from the time. These sources would help us contextualize the social norms and expectations surrounding women in 19th-century Dutch society. In this way we can begin to interpret the piece within the context of its time.