Studioportret van een vrouw met opgestoken haar c. 1863 - 1870

This vintage studio portrait by Wegner & Mottu captures a woman with upswept hair. The sepia tones evoke a sense of the past, while the subject's gaze towards the left adds a dynamic element to the otherwise still composition. The photograph is structured by a clear contrast between the detailed upper half, featuring the woman's face and attire, and the expansive, faded lower portion. This division draws the eye upwards, focusing on the woman's expression and intricate hairstyle. The use of light and shadow models the sitter's face, while the striped bands and buttons of her dress create a rhythmic pattern that cuts across the soft focus. The formal arrangement of the composition, its lines and tonal balance, invites reflection on how photographic portraits function. The studio setting itself, with controlled lighting and posed subject, raises questions about representation and identity. This interplay between formal elements and conceptual considerations makes the portrait a compelling object for interpretation.