Portret van een onbekende vrouw met hoofddeksel 1900 - 1914

Here's a very small photograph made by Levasseur, depicting an unknown woman wearing a head covering. I can imagine the photographer setting up their equipment, adjusting the light, and directing the woman to pose just so. Did they chat, or was it a formal, silent affair? The sepia tone gives it such a soft, diffused feeling, like a memory fading at the edges, leaving a gentle glow. That head covering – a simple shape, but so much weight. What was she thinking about in that moment? Was she nervous, excited, or simply patient? There's a kind of quiet strength in her profile, a gentle, thoughtful gaze directed toward the future. You can sense her presence. Looking at this photograph I’m reminded of the work by photographers like Julia Margaret Cameron who tried to capture the soul of their sitters, not just their likeness. Artists are always trying to create a moment. They're always in dialogue with those who came before, and in turn, inspiring those who will come after. We’re all in conversation.