Twee modellen met sigaret en geborduurde kleding en hoed van de Wiener Werkstätte 1920 - 1930

This photograph of two models wearing Wiener Werkstätte clothing and hats exists in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The soft tonal gradations achieved through the photographic process give this image a dreamlike quality. Look at the hat on the left, and the intricate design that is embroidered into the fabric. Notice the darker tones, the way the image almost blurs, obscuring a clear view of the pattern. This is where the image becomes more than a historical record, it becomes a feeling. The anonymous artist seems to be interested in the play of light and shadow across the textured surfaces of the clothing. The models present themselves with an air of quiet confidence. Are they sisters, friends, or simply posing together for the camera? This ambiguity and their knowing gaze make the image fascinating, an ongoing invitation to consider the complexities of fashion and identity. It reminds me a little of the portraits of Alice Neel, whose subjects always appear self-possessed, as if they have a secret they are not quite ready to share.