Portret van graaf De Septeuil c. 1860 - 1865

This sepia-toned photograph, "Portret van graaf De Septeuil," was created by Sergei Lvovich Levitsky. The composition invites us to consider the Count's posture: he leans casually on a tufted chaise lounge, one leg elegantly crossed, suggesting a cultivated ease and sophistication. Levitsky's photograph is not merely a record but a carefully constructed image. The arrangement of the Count, the chaise lounge, and the adjacent table draped with fringed cloth, demonstrate a mastery of light and shadow. These create a tonal range which enriches the visual texture. This portrait also tells us about the rise of photography as a medium to convey social status and individual identity. The Count’s sartorial choices reflect the fashion norms and cultural values of his time. The structural elements of this photograph – its framing, tonal contrasts and textures – invite reflection on the complex interplay between representation, identity, and social standing. It reminds us that meaning is constructed through the very act of image-making and viewing.