Portret van een vrouw met waaier in de hand 1890s

Robert de Greck captured this photographic "Portrait of a Woman with a Hand Fan". The image is predominantly composed of soft, monochromatic tones, creating an atmosphere of subdued elegance. An oval frame encases the subject, drawing the eye inward. The woman's form is rendered with subtle gradations of light and shadow, emphasizing the texture of her clothing. Consider the structuralist elements at play here: the fan, a traditional symbol of feminine poise, is held in a way that disrupts its conventional use. It's not quite open, not quite closed, suggesting a tension between display and concealment, invitation and reserve. The composition invites us to decode the signs and symbols embedded within the portrait. The use of the oval format enhances this sense of containment, framing the subject within established visual and cultural codes. The portrait remains a compelling exploration of form and cultural representation.