Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1871 - 1891

This is a portrait of an unknown woman by Johannes Baer, made with albumen print. The photograph is set within a rectangular frame with rounded corners, inside which is an oval portrait. Note the warm sepia tones, a consequence of the albumen printing process. The tonality brings a softness to the portrait, yet there is a starkness to the image. Her gaze is direct, and she is centered in the frame. The texture of her clothing—the ruffles around her neckline—contrasts with the smoothness of her face, directing the viewer's eye. While appearing straightforward, this portrait complicates notions of identity and representation. Baer's choice of an unknown subject challenges the traditional purpose of portraiture, which was to immortalize the famous or wealthy. Instead, it invites reflection on the nature of portraiture itself and the democratizing effects of photography. It raises questions about who gets remembered and how.