Captured in the rugged highlands of Paredes do Rio, this photograph reveals the profound beauty of a lifetime’s experience. The woman’s serene expression and steady hands reflect a deep mastery, embodying the wisdom of generations. Beside the hearth carved into the stone floor, she sits as a guardian of memory, her presence as enduring as the walls that surround her.
The environment breathes history; dancing sparks and rising smoke fill the air, creating a dramatic play of light and shadow. As the fire crackles, swirling smoke blurs the line between present and past, highlighting a domestic world where time stands still. This image pays homage to her resilient spirit—a woman who keeps the soul of Trás-os-Montes alive through her unparalleled skill amidst the warmth of the ancestral flame.

* March 16, 2013
* Paredes do Rio, Portugal
* GPS: 41.796567, -7.923783
* From the series: Spirit of Earth — Traditional Practices
* Object number: #4.POR-SET.2013
* Nikon D800, 24-70/2.8 • Iso 800 • 31mm • f/6.3 • 1/100sec
* Photograph. 70×50 cm. Ed. 1/12 + 3 AP
* Print on Hahnemüle Photo Rag Matt Baryta, 308 g/m²