Portret van een vrouw 1899 - 1920

This tiny portrait, no bigger than your palm, was captured by H.J. Tollens, sometime in the past. It’s a real gem, this small window into someone's life. I imagine Tollens carefully composing the shot, maybe fiddling with the lighting to get just the right mood. The woman’s expression, poised and maybe just a little bit serious, makes me wonder about her world, her story. The oval frame around her face is like a gentle hug, softening the edges of the image and focusing our gaze on her. There's something so intimate about these old portraits, don't you think? They're like little time capsules. Seeing the care and attention to detail, you can imagine Tollens trying to capture her essence, not just her likeness. It's a reminder of the endless fascination artists have with portraying others, and a poignant link between then and now.