Portrait of a Woman 1890 - 1910

Charles Albert Waltner created this portrait of a woman using etching, a technique that captures both the physical likeness and a sense of inner life. Notice the head wrap, a seemingly simple adornment that echoes ancient traditions of veiling and headdress. In classical antiquity, similar head coverings symbolized modesty, piety, and status. Think of Roman sculptures of priestesses or the veiled figures in Renaissance paintings representing virtues. The wrap isn't merely decorative; it's a signifier. Consider how the act of veiling or adorning the head has evolved, from sacred ritual to fashion statement, yet retains a link to ideas of identity, protection, and presentation of self. This image invites us to ponder the continuous, cyclical nature of cultural symbols. The head wrap, appearing across millennia in various forms, reminds us of our shared human experiences.