Portret van Jeanne Henriette Reine Reyneke van Stuwe 1904 - 1951

This vintage photograph, "Portret van Jeanne Henriette Reine Reyneke van Stuwe", was created by Arie M.A. Susan & Co. Looking at this small rectangular portrait, I wonder about the encounter between the photographer and the sitter. Was it a comfortable exchange, or more like a stiff, formal affair? I wonder if she chose the scarf herself or whether it was suggested by the photographer? There is a kind of soft darkness to the tones, a gentle fading that comes with time. Photography, much like painting, is about creating a likeness and capturing a presence. There is an exchange of gazes, a play between revelation and concealment. I wonder what thoughts and feelings passed between the artist and the sitter. How does this particular depiction capture something essential about her? And how does it connect to broader questions about identity, representation, and the ongoing dialogue between artists across different mediums?