Portret van een jonge vrouw 1890 - 1920

This portrait of a young woman is a small photograph by L. Lafont. The sepia tones are so subdued; it's almost as if the colors are holding their breath. What strikes me is the materiality of the photograph itself, with its thick paper mount, decorative embossed border, and the tactile sense of time it carries. The young woman's gingham dress contrasts with the ornate chair she holds, and the backdrop is a simple curtain, it's the kind of scene that suggests an honest, straightforward approach to portraiture. If you look closely at the details around the edge of the oval you can almost feel the texture, so delicate, like paper lace. Thinking about the portrait, I'm reminded of the work of artists like Gerhard Richter, who also explored the medium of photography and its relationship to painting. There is an incredible conversation between artists across time and genres, each building upon the ideas and techniques of those who came before. Art is always open, full of possibilities, and it’s up to us to keep questioning and exploring.