Portret van een onbekende vrouw en een zogenaamde spookverschijning before 1894

Here we see a photographic plate depicting an unknown woman alongside what is described as a "spookverschijning," or ghost apparition. The ghostly figure, a floating orb, immediately brings to mind the ancient concept of the anima—the soul or life force—often depicted as a breath or ethereal being. We see this motif echoing through time, from classical depictions of Psyche as a butterfly-winged soul to medieval visions of souls ascending to heaven as glowing lights. Even in modern spiritualist photography, orbs of light are often interpreted as manifestations of spirits. Consider the psychological weight of such a symbol. Throughout history, humanity has sought visual representations of the intangible—the soul, the spirit, the afterlife. This photograph captures that very human desire to make visible what lies beyond our immediate perception. It serves as a reminder of our perpetual quest to understand and visualize the unseen forces that govern our lives, an image which is both comforting and haunting.