Portret van een onbekende vrouw c. 1910 - 1920

This portrait of an unknown woman was made by P. Steensma, but we don't know exactly when. Looking at it, I'm struck by the contrast between the soft, feathery details of her hat and the crisp lines of her dress, each captured with careful consideration. The hat has a certain weight, a dense pack of dark feathers that make the small woman appear even more diminutive. The way the monochrome tones blend together makes me think about layering and mixing colors in my own paintings to create depth. There’s a real sense of process in this work. The artist’s hand is evident in the subtle variations of tone and texture. It reminds me of the work of artists like Man Ray, who often played with light and shadow to create surreal effects. This piece invites us to slow down and notice the beauty in the everyday, to appreciate the play of light and shadow, and to find meaning in the process of looking.