Portret van Paul Verlaine 1892

This 1892 photograph, "Portret van Paul Verlaine," by Philip Zilcken captures the renowned French Symbolist poet Paul Verlaine in profile. The intimate, almost candid portrait showcases Verlaine's distinctive features, including his prominent beard and bald head. Zilcken's use of a simple composition and soft lighting emphasizes the subject's somber expression and creates a sense of quiet contemplation. This photograph is a significant piece of photographic portraiture, offering viewers a glimpse into the life of one of the most important figures in French literature.