Portret van een jonge vrouw 1892 - 1906

Machiel Hendricus Laddé made this small photographic portrait of a young woman in the Netherlands, though the date of its creation remains unknown. The portrait's visual codes, such as the subject's modest attire and reserved expression, reflect the social norms of the time. During this period in the Netherlands, class distinctions and expectations of female propriety were firmly in place. Consider the ways in which institutions like finishing schools shaped the identities of young women, promoting specific ideals of beauty, behavior, and social standing. We can speculate that this portrait was commissioned to record the sitter’s likeness, as part of a family album, or as a memento to be sent to a loved one. To understand this work better, researchers might consult social histories, fashion archives, and genealogical records. Ultimately, its meaning is shaped by the social and institutional contexts in which it was produced and consumed.