Reproductie naar een foto van Willem Witsen c. 1860 - 1915

This is a reproduction of a photograph of Willem Witsen by an anonymous artist. The image is striking for its formal composition and tonal range. A tight crop focuses our attention on Witsen's face, framed by dark clothing and a background that recedes into shadow. The photograph's arrangement directs our gaze to the spectacles perched on Witsen's nose. A thin cord dangles from the glasses, bisecting his torso and adding a layer of geometric complexity to the composition. The balance of light and shadow creates a sense of depth. The photograph can be read as a study in contrasts, light against dark, sharpness against soft focus, clarity against ambiguity. The photograph destabilizes the conventional portrait through its informal presentation, which invites the viewer to question the nature of representation and the construction of identity.