We know the photo was made at an urban studio in early 20th Century America. We know who paid the bill but not the name of the sitter. The picture comes from a collection at the Library of Congress.

It is a struggle to grasp the meaning of human beings in time.

At this distance of more than a hundred years, it seems we can look into the very soul of this woman whose identity is unknown to us — perhaps peering deeper than we can into our daily companions.

How could that be accomplished? She is long dead.

One answer: she has left signs or traces of her Self behind through photography.

Through the perceptions of contemporary minds her essence may live again.

Speaking for myself, I attribute meaning to tightly-compressed thin lips, especially when accompanied by a short nose. It signals determination and in this image: maybe bitterness. She’s buttoned-up — a proper lady in an elaborately-textured dress. I would say solidly in the middle class of the previous century. Her religion I would guess Protestant, toward the more severe and austere end of the spectrum. She has done a lot of worrying — mentally stressing — during her life of perhaps forty years. This shows in the half-circles spreading in dark waves below her eyes. She strikes me a working woman. Today she might be an accountant (controller) or banker — then: maybe a stern school teacher or preacher’s wife. The ramrod straight posture and her obvious intelligence gives all of that away.

Sexuality? I saw none when first looking at this photograph. Upon closer examination it is definitely there. Mark the voluptuous curls of her scarf, and the feminine filigree spread over her garment. These things are echoed and accentuated by the wavy hair at the crown of her head. Her eyes show anger and (counterintuitively) a sharp-witted playfulness. She might in the right intimate circumstance allow desire — and a dry prickly sense of humor to come out — we cannot say for sure.

Has she experienced a consummated grand passion?

We could speculate: once, a long time ago. Since then she has kept that buried — and it shows — and that might make her a tragic figure.