Portret van een onbekende vrouw met een muts 1899 - 1904

This small portrait of an unknown woman with a bonnet was made by Franz Wilhelm Deutmann, likely in the mid-19th century. Look at the tonal range in this piece, moving from near black to creamy white, with all shades of brown in between. It’s like a masterclass in monochromatic painting. The tones feel soft and velvety. The artist’s process is partially concealed by the nature of photographic printing, but there’s a stillness, a quietness, in the way the image is composed that mirrors something I strive for in my own paintings. The smooth gradient of her dress, almost like the form is being created by light itself, is particularly captivating. I’m reminded of the formal portraits of Ingres, but with a distinct sense of intimacy. What does it mean to capture someone's likeness, and what do we learn about the sitter from the work? Maybe, more than anything, this is a record of a past moment in time. A reminder of the ongoing conversation between art and life.