Vrouw zittend op de wortel van een boom before 1916

This photograph, titled 'Vrouw zittend op de wortel van een boom' which translates to 'Woman sitting on the root of a tree' was made by Adelaide Hanscom Leeson. Leeson, active in the early 20th century, captures a woman in a moment of quietude, sitting at the base of a large tree. The soft focus and composition evoke a sense of romanticism, aligning with the Pictorialist movement's aesthetic. Yet, it's important to consider the gendered context of the time: women were often portrayed in passive, natural settings, reinforcing societal expectations. Here, however, we might also see a subversion of those expectations. The woman's gaze is averted, perhaps lost in thought or contemplation. Leeson, a female photographer, may have been exploring themes of female introspection and independence. The tree itself, a symbol of strength and rootedness, could represent the inner resources of the woman. This image invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between representation, identity, and the lived experiences of women in the early 20th century.