Portret van een onbekende vrouw c. 1900 - 1915

This is an old photograph by Fotografie Strauss, a portrait of an unknown woman. Look at the way she is posed, seated directly in the center, gazing directly at the photographer, and now us. I find myself wondering about the artistry of portraiture, and the dialogue that is established between artist and sitter. It is easy to imagine the photographer, Strauss, carefully arranging the scene, and coaching the sitter to sit still, probably for quite a long time. In turn, the sitter is also performing here. I wonder what she was thinking at the time? Was she trying to appear serious? Maybe she was nervous? The sepia tones contribute to the overall feeling of nostalgia. There is a stillness and formality that feels very of its time. But then again, in a way, portraiture is always a collaboration, isn’t it? A kind of dance, an ongoing exchange of ideas across time, inspiring the creativity of both the photographer and the sitter.