Portret van Else Moos-Wachenheimer in donkere kleding met lichte kraag, Lugano, 1924 1924

This silver gelatin portrait of Else Moos-Wachenheimer in dark clothing with a light collar was taken in Lugano in 1924 by an anonymous photographer. The photograph is notable for its minimalist approach and elegant composition, which conveys a sense of dignity. The subject's face is captured in profile, a deliberate choice that emphasizes the structural elements of her features. This compositional decision invites us to consider how portraiture can highlight form over emotion. The interplay between the dark clothing and the light collar creates a visual contrast that draws attention to the subject's neck and jawline, framing her face within the composition. This formal arrangement serves a semiotic function, potentially signaling the sitter's social status, perhaps wealth and refinement. The choice of a profile view is a strategy for exploring how the formal qualities of portraiture intersect with broader cultural narratives around identity and representation.