Portret van een onbekende man 1870 - 1885

This photograph, by Carel Frederik Cordes, captures an unknown man in the rigid formality of military attire. The uniform, adorned with buttons and epaulettes, speaks of duty and rank, a visual language of power that echoes through centuries of portraiture. Consider the evolution of the button, from mere fastener to symbol of status. In earlier times, they signified wealth and belonging, much like the elaborate clasps on ancient Roman garments. Over time, the gesture of fastening one's coat has become a ritual of preparation, a subtle armouring against the world. The subject's stoic gaze, reminiscent of Roman busts, engages us on a deeply human level. The artist captures a moment, imbued with the psychological weight of expectation and the cyclical recurrence of symbols across time.