Portret van een onbekende jonge vrouw 1902 - 1906

This small, undated portrait of an unknown woman was made by Stephanus Adrianus Schotel. It's a photograph, so the marks are made by light. It's the delicate tonal range of this light which gives the image its power. I love the way the light caresses the form of the face, the soft glow on the cheekbone. It's gentle, precise and full of atmosphere. See how the focus drops away slightly at the shoulders? The artist has expertly controlled the depth of field, so we are drawn in to the eyes and expression of the sitter. The lack of strong shadow gives the image an ethereal quality. It reminds me of the work of Julia Margaret Cameron, another photographer who used soft focus to create a sense of intimacy. Both artists invite us to contemplate the mystery of the human subject. The photograph remains suspended in time, a frozen moment, open to endless interpretation.