Portret van een vrouw 1880 - 1920

This photograph of a woman was created by Wasa Atelieren. Although we have no date, it is very likely that this photograph was made in Europe, or perhaps the United States, in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. During this period, photography studios became increasingly common. While earlier photographic processes were laborious and expensive, technological advancements meant that more people could afford to have their picture taken. It is also important to recognize that the rise of photography studios coincided with the professionalization of art. Studios like Wasa Atelieren provided services that were once the exclusive domain of painting, but offered a cheaper and more accessible way to produce images. To understand the significance of this photograph, we might look at studio records, census data, and fashion trends to learn more about the sitter and the social context in which the image was made. This reminds us that the meaning of art is always tied to the specific conditions of its creation.