Portret van een onbekende jongeman in uniform 1890 - 1895

Theodorus Ferdinant van de Pol, a Dutch photographer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, created this small cabinet card portrait of an unknown young man in uniform. These types of portraits were very popular among the middle classes. What does it mean to present yourself as a member of the military? This young man’s identity is consciously constructed, mediated through the lens of military service. His gaze, though direct, seems to carry a hint of vulnerability. Van de Pol captures this emotional complexity, offering us more than just a stoic representation of military identity. His work provides insight into the intersection of personal identity and institutional roles. Consider this photograph as a poignant reflection on duty, identity, and the human experience within the machinery of the military.