Twee portretten van Inger Nilsen before 1880

These two portraits of Inger Nilsen were captured by Paolo Mantegazza using photographic techniques of his time. The sepia tones lend a warmth, inviting a deeper look into the structure of the image. Mantegazza positions his subject in two distinct angles. In one, we see a profile, and in the other, a direct gaze, each offering a different facet of her identity. The texture of her traditional clothing, rendered with such detail, adds a layer of material richness to the photograph. The composition invites us to consider not just the individual, but also the cultural context shaping her identity. The portraits, while seemingly straightforward, engage with a larger discourse on representation, identity, and the observer's role. Each viewing provides a chance to question and redefine our understanding.