Josias Von Heeringen 1913

This sepia photograph by Nicola Perscheid captures Josias Von Heeringen, a figure adorned with medals and military regalia. Imagine Perscheid in his studio, carefully adjusting the lighting, coaxing the right expression from his sitter. Maybe Von Heeringen shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his honors, or perhaps he bore them with stoic pride? The tones are soft, almost dreamlike. Look at how the light catches the edges of the medals, each one telling a silent story of battles fought, victories won, sacrifices made. How do you think this artwork constructs a site of inquiry? In Perscheid’s wider practice, he really liked playing around with light and shadow in his artworks. In a way, he's showing the world as he sees it. Photography—like painting— offers a way of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world. And in this moment, we get to share Perscheid's vision.