Portret van een onbekende man 1894 - 1914

This sepia-toned photograph of an unknown man was taken by J. Weston and Son. Look at the way the light catches the sharp edge of his lapel, and the soft focus around his face. I wonder what it was like for the photographer, lining up the shot, holding the pose just so. Did the man feel awkward? It is an odd thing to have a portrait taken, especially in the early days of photography. Was this a formal occasion, a gift for a loved one perhaps? Or a memento to mark a special occasion? The tonality and composition are so specific to this period. But it also reminds me a little bit of Gerhard Richter's blurred portraits, sourced from found photographs. Artists are always in dialogue, taking something from the past and transforming it into something new. Photography, painting, we are all just trying to figure out ways of seeing. Each work embodies a specific, felt encounter. What do you feel when you look at this man's face?