Portret van een onbekende vrouw c. 1887 - 1917

Marinus Cornelis Dingjan made this portrait of an unknown woman, we’re not sure exactly when, but the soft sepia tones, and the details of her dress, suggest it was made in the late 19th, early 20th century. Look at how the light gently fades into the background, almost like the image is emerging from a dream. The texture of the photograph itself is smooth, but the tones create depth and volume, especially in the folds of her clothing. It is in her eyes that the details become really clear. I wonder what she’s thinking. Is she shy, confident, or maybe a little bit of both? It reminds me of the portraits by Nadar, the 19th-century French photographer. It is not just a record, it’s an exchange, an encounter between two people, across time. Ultimately, what art gives us are questions, not answers.