Vrouw in stoel 1907 - 1916

This portrait, Vrouw in stoel, was made by Johannes Hendrikus Antonius Maria Lutz with photographic materials. The image is dominated by soft, muted tones that give it an ethereal quality, with the figure of the woman emerging gently from the shadows. I’m really drawn to the overall feel of this piece, particularly the play of light on the fabrics. The dress and the pillows of the chair seem to absorb and reflect light in such a way that they soften the contrast between light and shadow. This technique gives the image a unique kind of luminosity, where light isn’t just falling on surfaces but seems to emanate from within them. See how the folds of the woman’s dress cascade down, each layer subtly catching the light? It's almost like Lutz is painting with light, capturing not just the appearance of the fabric, but also its texture and weight. There’s a certain stillness in this image that reminds me of the pre-Raphaelite painters. Artists like Dante Gabriel Rossetti were all about capturing beauty in a way that feels both timeless and deeply personal, and I think this image shares that quality. It’s like Lutz is inviting us to pause and appreciate the quiet beauty of everyday life.