Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1867 - 1870

This portrait of an unknown woman was captured in New Orleans by B. & G. Moses in the mid-19th century using photography. Her modest attire reflects the sartorial conventions of the time; however, it's the brooch at her sternum that intrigues. This ornament acts as a symbolic anchor. Brooches have evolved across millennia, initially serving practical functions before becoming badges of status, mourning, and memory. Consider, for instance, the medieval pilgrim badges—signs of spiritual journeys—or the Renaissance portrait miniatures worn close to the heart. Each iteration carries its own narrative weight. The subtle gaze of the woman, combined with the understated elegance of the brooch, evokes a powerful sense of introspection. This visual language speaks to the cyclical nature of symbols, echoing and transforming across time and space, resonating with our collective past.