Portret van Maartje Haan 1890 - 1918

This is 'Portret van Maartje Haan' made by J. Siewers & Zoon. The photographic image captures a woman in a traditional dress, her gaze steady. I wonder what Maartje was thinking at that moment. Was she aware of the performative aspect of sitting for a portrait, the way it freezes you in time? I think about the photographer, too. In those days, it was so much more involved than snapping a quick pic on your phone. There's the setting up of the studio, the lighting, the careful posing… all these things contribute to the final image, creating this quiet, considered moment between artist and sitter. Her attire, while traditional, seems to hint at her personality. Her gaze is serious, direct, and somehow… knowing. Like she’s seen a thing or two. I imagine the photographer trying to capture that essence, that spark of individuality, within the confines of a formal portrait. It's a conversation across time.