Portret van een onbekende vrouw c. 1885 - 1928

This portrait of an unknown woman was created by W.G. Kuijer & Zonen. It's a small piece, about the size of your hand, and it uses a muted palette to create a sense of timelessness. The surface is smooth, almost like glass. The details are finely rendered, especially around the woman's face and clothing. The dress is particularly fascinating, with its intricate lace and delicate ruffles, capturing the play of light and shadow. It's as if the artist wanted to freeze a moment in time, to capture the essence of this woman's being. There's an ambiguity in the way the piece has aged – the surface damage feels like a collaboration with time. It makes me think of artists like Gerhard Richter, who blur and obscure their paintings to create a sense of memory and loss. Like those works, this portrait also speaks to the transient nature of existence.