Portret van een Egyptische boerenvrouw met haar kind op de schouder before 1905

This is a portrait by Khardiache Frères of an Egyptian farm woman with her child, printed on paper. What grabs me here is how the light sort of pools and gathers, especially around the woman's draped clothing, giving it a sculptural feel, as though it was hewn from stone. Looking closer, it's fascinating how the texture almost dissolves in places. Like the background, it’s more suggestion than firm detail, and this softens the image, giving it a timeless feel. Notice how the child is rendered in a slightly higher contrast, pulling them into focus, making them appear so alive. It's a real contrast. It makes me think of Gertrude Käsebier, another photographer who used soft focus to elevate everyday scenes into these really soulful images. It’s like both artists are reminding us that beauty and depth can be found in the most ordinary moments.