Officier der Vrijwillige Schutterij van Utrecht 1835 - 1850

Albertus Verhoesen created this print of an officer from the voluntary civic guard of Utrecht. Here, the officer is presented as a set of lines and shapes, carefully arranged on the page. Notice how Verhoesen uses line to define the figure's uniform and hat. The dark color of his coat contrasts sharply with the light background, creating a stark visual structure. This contrast draws our eyes to the figure, emphasizing its geometry and the textures of the fabric. The print’s composition directs attention to the formal qualities over realistic representation. This shift mirrors structuralist ideas, which consider how underlying systems shape our understanding. The officer's formal presentation may challenge traditional notions of portraiture, inviting viewers to see the print not just as a likeness but as a study of form and representation. Ultimately, the artist seems less interested in portraying a person than in exploring the formal possibilities of line, shape, and color, prompting us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper structures at play in this work.