Portret van een vrouw, aangeduid als Fanny Possibly 1884

This is J. Horsburgh’s sepia photograph, "Portret van een vrouw, aangeduid als Fanny". Note how the artist has framed the subject within an oval, creating a formal, almost classical structure. The composition is divided simply: the figure of the woman on one side and empty space on the other, enhancing the sense of poised stillness. The sepia tone mutes the colour, reducing the image to its essential forms and textures. The woman’s dark dress and softly lit face contrast with the stark background, drawing the eye to her expression. Horsburgh uses light and shadow to define the planes of her face, adding depth. This interplay creates a semiotic system of signs; the smooth, unblemished skin suggests youth, while the dark, high-necked dress connotes modesty. Overall, the photograph’s form, the framing and tonal range function aesthetically and as a historical record of societal values, capturing a moment and a person within a specific cultural framework.