Portret van een onbekende vrouw c. 1910 - 1920

This is a vintage photograph, "Portret van een onbekende vrouw," by P. Steensma. Looking at this image, I wonder what it might have been like for the sitter, maybe posing for a portrait was a big deal back then. It's striking how the photographer frames her face. There’s something about the lighting and the composition, it feels very direct. Her expression seems thoughtful, as if she's considering something. The portrait captures more than just her physical appearance. I’m just imagining Steensma, positioning the sitter and adjusting the lighting... In a way, the image becomes a shared moment between the artist and the sitter, captured for posterity. It reminds me of other portrait photographers from that era, all trying to capture something essential about their subjects. It's like a painter trying to find the right colors. In the end, this photograph feels alive, not just a still image.