Portret van Arthur Moos, 1903-1922 1903 - 1922

This portrait of Arthur Moos was made sometime between 1903 and 1922, by an unknown artist. What's striking about it is the way the greyscale tones seem to glow from within. It's hard to tell what kind of process the artist used, the method is somewhat obscured, but that's what makes it so compelling. The surface has a delicate, almost ethereal quality, like it could disappear at any moment. There’s a quietness to the photograph, but the artist makes a few interesting decisions. The oval crop feels quite modern. The way the tones gently blur together, giving it the overall effect of a dream. This treatment of greyscale tones reminds me of the quiet portraits by Félix Vallotton. I love how this piece embraces its ambiguity, offering us a glimpse into the past while leaving so much to the imagination.