Portret van een jonge vrouw met paraplu en mof 1886 - 1897

This is a photograph of a young woman with an umbrella and muff, made by Nils Johan Björsell. The photograph presents us with a study in contrasts and textures, with the sitter posed in a three-quarter view, engaging the viewer with a direct gaze. The composition is structured by a tonal range. The velvet collar and buttoned jacket against the softness of the fur muff create visual interest. Björsell plays with the material qualities of light and shadow, particularly in how it defines form. This use of light is not merely descriptive; it serves to highlight the woman’s features and the textures of her clothing. The umbrella is held as an accessory but also casts a shadow. It introduces a play of dark and light. This photograph invites us to consider how visual codes and materials intersect to construct meaning and identity within the framework of late 19th-century portraiture.