Portret van een vrouw 1850 - 1900

Editor: This is an old gelatin-silver print, "Portret van een vrouw," dating from somewhere between 1850 and 1900, the artist goes by the profile name of Bannel. It's just lovely, almost like peering into someone's past, with a dreamy, wistful mood to it. It's really striking. I'm wondering, what does this portrait say to you? Curator: Ah, she whispers tales, doesn't she? You know, when I look at her, I see the dawn of accessible portraiture. Imagine the liberation of being able to capture your likeness, not just for the wealthy elite but for a wider circle. Look at her expression – it’s not just a passive pose. I feel a quiet determination in her eyes. She's choosing how she wants to be seen, which back then, would have been such a unique thing. Don't you think there's something subtly subversive in that act? Editor: That's an amazing point. I was so caught up in the aesthetic, I hadn't considered that. You see that strength of character, then? Curator: Absolutely. Photography wasn't just documentation; it was self-definition in a rapidly changing world. It reminds me of old family photos… the careful presentation and how much intent went into image creation and sharing. Editor: So much intention behind such a fragile piece of evidence. Thanks, that gives me so much more to think about. Curator: My pleasure. It is really just a lovely slice of someone’s history isn’t it?