Portret van een vrouw met witte klederdrachtmuts 1867 - 1880

This is a portrait of a woman with a white bonnet by Simon van Caspel. The portrait, made with photography, is characterised by its subdued monochromatic tones. The composition is structured around a central figure, whose face is softly illuminated. Notice how the photograph engages with conventions of portraiture while subtly critiquing them. The subject’s gaze, though direct, lacks the assertive individualism often seen in commissioned portraits. Instead, her reserved expression and the uniform-like attire suggest a focus on communal identity. Caspel perhaps invites us to consider the tension between individual representation and collective belonging. Consider how the use of light and shadow, and the framing within a frame, adds to the psychological depth of the image. The portrait becomes a meditation on identity, representation, and the silent narratives embedded in photographic form.