Portret van een baby c. 1911 - 1940

This portrait of a baby was made by Hieronymus David Fraenkel, but when is anyone’s guess! I love the way the sepia tones flatten the image, almost like a drawing. Look at the way the light caresses the baby's face. See how soft it is? The textures here are wild! The fluffiness of the fur on which the baby sits contrasts with the rigidity of the chair. And that little hand, clutching a toy, is the most powerful brushstroke. The tonal range is so delicate, but it creates a sense of depth that makes you want to reach out and touch this child. This reminds me of Julia Margaret Cameron, another artist who embraced the accidental, creating dreamy images that feel both timeless and intensely personal. Ultimately, it is the tender gaze of the baby that anchors this piece, reminding us that art is always a form of communication, a way of connecting across time and space.