Portret van Cateau Waller c. 1890 - 1920

This is Portret van Cateau Waller, made by Koene & Büttinghausen. Now, I wasn't there, but I imagine this portrait gradually emerged through the process of capturing the subject, refining the image, and coaxing out the details. It’s a very quiet palette, all whites, creams, and grays. I feel for the artist because photography is a bit like painting; so much depends on the equipment, the materials, and the environment to get a likeness. I wonder if the artists and Cateau were trying to communicate something about her character and the possibilities of photography at the time? It makes me think of other artists, each using their medium to explore similar themes. The gentle curve of her jawline, and how it defines her face – that really speaks to me! It reminds me that art-making is an ongoing exchange of ideas across time. Every artist builds on what came before, pushing the boundaries a little further, and in this way, we're all in conversation with one another.