Portret van een staande vrouw, leunend op de leuning van een bidstoel 1860 - 1900

Thomas Fall created this portrait of a standing woman, its exact date currently unknown. The sepia tones imbue the image with a sense of nostalgia, while the composition focuses sharply on the subject, drawing the viewer into her space. The woman’s pose, leaning on what is described as a prie-dieu, or prayer stool, is rich with semiotic potential. The object implies piety or introspection, yet her gaze is direct, challenging a simple reading of devotion. This interplay between the symbols of faith and the sitter's assertive presence creates a tension, destabilizing conventional interpretations of Victorian portraiture. The artist employs a delicate balance of light and shadow to sculpt the woman’s face and form, which adds depth and volume. The visual presentation here functions as part of a broader cultural discourse, questioning the fixed meanings and values typically assigned to women's roles and representation in the late 19th century.