Motherland Chronicles 9 - Portrait of Anna

This really, really reminds me of Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earring. Both because of the dark, black background and because of the way she looks at the viewer as if she is just about to ask a question or say something.

Her body can not be seen as it blends into the background. This way we cannot read her body language which makes us focus more on her head and what it holds, what she is thinking.

The pale hands contrasted against the dark background draw the eye just as much, if not more than her face. The floating, attention grabbing hands in turn draw our thoughts to the small book she is holding high and closely against the chest we cannot really see. If I were to go into some deep analysis, that may or may not have any basis, I would say that the book could signify her feelings or inner self, based on it's position and the way she holds it delicately with both hands.

What I really love about it is how totally simple it is. You feel like you could just be glancing her way in passing, but there are much deeper elements to her when you really take your time to contemplate.