Maria Magdalena Jensen, née Jessen, the Artist's Mother
1850
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
1850
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This is a black-and-white photo of an older woman. She’s wearing a white cap and a dark shawl over her shoulders, with a lace collar peeking out. Her hands rest on a small wooden box or book, and her expression is calm but serious. The photo looks like it was taken a long time ago, with a soft, slightly faded quality. The lighting is gentle, focusing on her face while keeping the background dark. If you like this style, check out chiaroscuro for more on how light and shadow create depth.