Fotoreproductie van een portret van een onbekende vrouw c. 1894 - 1907

This photogravure, made by Koene & Büttinghausen, presents an unknown woman in a style echoing the portraiture of its time. Consider her gaze, direct and unwavering, meeting ours across the silent abyss of time. This is not merely a depiction of a person, but a confrontation with presence itself. The simplicity of her attire draws our attention to her face, and the symmetry of the composition lends the portrait a sense of stability and composure. This frontal pose echoes ancient Roman portraiture, where the direct gaze was intended to convey authority and virtue. We see this same intent echoed in later Renaissance portraits, illustrating a conscious connection with the past as a means of legitimizing the present. Perhaps subconsciously, the artist sought to imbue this image with a sense of timelessness, tapping into a wellspring of collective memory. This portrait invites us to contemplate the enduring human desire to capture and preserve the essence of an individual.