Portret van een vrouw in hooggesloten jurk met halsketting 1895 - 1920

Gustaf Lesser made this tiny photograph of a woman in a high-necked dress, but when, we don't know. What can we learn from this photo? It feels posed, almost formal, but her eyes have a glimmer that might speak to the inner life she lived when the photo was taken. The lighting is subdued, which brings out the textures of her dress and the soft contours of her face. I wonder what was going through Gustaf Lesser's mind while they were taking this photograph. Were they thinking about how to capture her essence, her spirit? Was it a technical challenge, or a deeply personal encounter? The woman’s dress is fascinating. It's dark, but has light-colored lace details. Those ruffles at the top, framing her shoulders, speak to a bygone era. I imagine artists are always inspired by one another, reaching across time to share ideas and inspiration. This photograph is a reminder that art is a conversation, a back-and-forth between artists and viewers, all trying to make sense of the world in their own way.