Portret van een echtpaar 1860 - 1900

This is a small portrait of a couple by C.F. Röthlisberger, we aren’t sure exactly when it was made or who the subjects are. The photograph is more than just a depiction of two individuals; it's a window into the social conventions of its time. The couple's formal attire and posed demeanor reflect the era's emphasis on propriety and social standing. The man's meticulously groomed mustache and the woman's modest dress speak to the gendered expectations of the time. Consider the power dynamics at play. How does the representation of masculinity and femininity in the photograph reinforce or subvert traditional roles? What can this image tell us about the construction of identity and the performance of self in the past? This image is a reminder of the personal stories woven into the fabric of history, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity, gender, and power.