Portret van een jonge vrouw met een col en een geplooide jurk c. 1882 - 1910

Franz Reissig created this cabinet card portrait of a young woman with a collared neck and pleated dress. As photography became more accessible in the late 19th century, portraiture became less of a privilege for the upper classes and more of a common practice across society. During this period, a person’s portrait served as a public declaration of identity, reinforcing societal expectations of beauty, gender, and class. In this photograph, the sitter’s demure gaze and modest attire are in line with the era’s conservative ideals of femininity. While these portraits often upheld conventional representations, they also provided individuals an opportunity to express their sense of self and belonging. What can we gather from this portrait of a young woman? What does it reveal about the photographer’s eye, the young woman's status, her sense of style, and the subtle forms of self-expression within the bounds of societal norms?