Portret van een onbekende vrouw met bril c. 1900 - 1920

This is a photograph of an unknown woman with glasses, captured by A.C. Verhees. The most striking aspect of this image is, without a doubt, the pair of spectacles perched upon her nose. In this era, glasses were not merely tools for vision correction; they symbolized intellect, learning, and a certain social status. These lenses, framing her eyes, offer us a glimpse into her inner world. We have seen how the motif of spectacles has evolved over time. In medieval art, eyeglasses were often depicted in scenes of scholars. Later, the visual symbol took on new layers of meaning, signifying modernity. The act of seeing and understanding, like the quest for knowledge itself, has always held a deep psychological resonance. It reminds us of the enduring human desire to perceive and interpret the world around us.