Portret van een onbekende vrouw met een baby 1896 - 1914

This is a small portrait photograph of a woman and child, printed by P. Le Michel. The sepia tones give it that classic, slightly dreamy feel of old photos. The woman's face is softly lit, and there's a gentle blurring, a kind of 'soft focus' effect, which obscures some of the details. It's not about sharp edges; it's more about capturing a mood, an impression. The way the light falls creates this intimate moment, as if we're peering into a private memory. Look at the folds of her dress and the subtle gradations of light and shadow. There's a depth created by the variations in tone, a play of light that adds to the overall feeling of quiet tenderness. It reminds me of early portraiture, the interest in capturing something essential about a person, even if their name is lost to us. Like the work of Julia Margaret Cameron, it's a meditation on seeing and remembering. It's an invitation to see the beauty in imperfection.