Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1900 - 1924

This small, undated portrait of an unknown woman was produced by Gerard Ch. Smeekes & Van Schaik. It's a fascinating, monochromatic photograph. The process of its making feels very present; there’s this beautiful balance between control and accident in the chemical development. The faded tones create a lovely texture. The eye is drawn to the soft gradient on the woman's face, and the subtle definition of her features against the flat background. The damage on the surface adds a palpable sense of history and mortality to the image. Those tiny dark specks scattered above her head are like a constellation of unseen forces, adding a layer of intrigue. This piece makes me think of the work of Eugène Atget, who, like these artists, captured the world around him with a sensitive and observant eye. It reminds me that art is not just about perfection, but about embracing the unpredictable and finding beauty in the everyday.