Portret van een jongeman in militair uniform 1861 - 1874

Albert Greiner captured this portrait of a young man in military uniform using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The image presents an interesting tension between the sitter’s youth and the authority connoted by his military attire. Dating from the 19th century, this Dutch photograph reflects the growing professionalization of the armed forces across Europe, and the use of new technologies like photography to document and celebrate this development. The stiff pose and formal dress suggest an attempt to project an image of strength and order, values highly prized in military culture. However, the subject's youthful features and slightly disheveled hair also hint at the individual behind the uniform. To fully understand this work, we might delve into military archives and genealogical records to learn more about the sitter and the specific regiment he served in, uncovering the social and political context that shaped both his life and this image.