Zelfportret in "oriëntaals" kostuum c. 1900 - 1910

Here's a self-portrait in "Oriental" costume by Mr. L. de Bruyn, held at the Rijksmuseum. I find this image so intriguing. I wonder what De Bruyn was thinking as he posed for this photograph. I feel for him, really. The rich sepia tones give the image a sense of warmth and intimacy. I can imagine him carefully arranging the folds of his costume, trying to strike the right balance between authenticity and theatricality. Did he feel a sense of liberation or constraint? Was he trying to embody an idealized version of the Orient, or was he engaging in a more personal exploration of identity and representation? Looking at the image, I am reminded of Delacroix’s paintings. I think artists are forever building on what has come before, remixing and reinterpreting ideas in their own ways. Painting is a space for artists to work through ambiguity and uncertainty, inviting viewers to join them in the process.