Portret van een onbekende vrouw before 1903

This black and white photograph of an unknown woman was made by Fritz Loescher, and it looks as though the photographic process itself is being reflected on here. The tonal range of the image is gentle and subdued, as if to emphasize the craft and care needed to create such an image. When I look at the image, I notice the interplay of light and shadow that models the sitter’s face. There's a softness to it, yet the details are crisp enough to give us a sense of her presence. I wonder about the texture of the photographic paper itself. Is it smooth or does it have a subtle grain that adds to the overall feel of the piece? The way Loescher has captured her gaze, slightly averted, draws me in. Thinking of other photographers who were active around the same time as Loescher, I’m reminded of Gertrude Käsebier. I think the work of both artists invites us to ponder the relationships between photographer, sitter, and the evolving nature of photographic image-making.