Portret van een onbekende jonge man met kruisboog 1881 - 1905

Louis Johan Cordes captured this small, monochromatic portrait of an unknown young man with a crossbow. The sepia tones lend the photograph a feeling of a bygone era, evoking a sense of historical distance. The composition is simple and direct; the figure is positioned centrally, his gaze meeting ours, creating an immediate connection. The crossbow introduces a fascinating semiotic layer to the photograph; it is a symbol of skill, readiness, and perhaps even the hunt. The figure's attire and the inclusion of the crossbow invite us to consider narratives of adventure and tradition. The photograph's meaning is not fixed, but suggestive, its value lies in its capacity to spark narratives and invite personal interpretations.