Portret van een vrouw, staand bij een stoel Possibly 1870 - 1879

This is a portrait photograph of a woman standing by a chair, created by H.C. Donk en Co. The photograph presents a study in vertical lines and subtle contrasts. The subject, adorned in a striped dress, establishes a pattern that is both visually grounding and slightly destabilizing. Note how the lines of the dress interact with the chair’s ornate details, creating a complex interplay of texture and form. The artist uses sepia tones to flatten the depth, emphasizing the two-dimensional aspect of the image. Within the context of portraiture, this work challenges conventional representation. Rather than aiming for an idealized likeness, the emphasis on geometric patterns suggests an interest in structure over mere surface appearance. The composition invites us to consider how these elements function as signs, conveying cultural codes about identity, status, and representation. The flattening effect of the sepia tone further accentuates the photograph's formal qualities. It reminds us that the artwork is not just a representation, but also an object with its own material presence and formal logic.