Portret van een vrouw 1880 - 1910

Here we see Carl Emil Mögle’s “Portret van een vrouw,” an early photograph mounted on card. The sepia tones and the framed composition give a sense of formality, typical of portraiture from this period. Looking closely, the texture of the paper and the subtle gradations in the photographic image create a delicate interplay of light and shadow. Mögle uses this tonal range to define the woman’s features and clothing, focusing on her face. Consider the cultural codes at play here. Photography at this time was rapidly evolving, challenging traditional modes of representation in painting. This portrait, with its structured composition and focus on detail, reflects a desire to capture and preserve an individual’s likeness in a rapidly modernizing world. It invites us to consider how new media reframe our understanding of identity and representation.