Portret van een onbekende jonge man in uniform 1900 - 1914

Jean Marie Pernelle captured this unknown young man in uniform with photography. The uniform, a potent symbol of duty and belonging, is adorned with numbers and insignia, marking the young man’s role within the 149th regiment, with epaulettes of thick bullion fringe indicating rank and status. We find similar displays of military dress echoed in ancient Roman portraits, where emperors and generals were depicted in elaborate armor, projecting power and authority. In the Renaissance, condottieri were portrayed in their finery, embodying strength and leadership. The white gloves held by the young man here have roots in medieval chivalry; they've evolved into a symbol of gentility. Think of the gauntlets thrown down as a challenge, morphing into today's white glove galas. Here, the uniform evokes not just military strength but also the emotional weight of national identity and the call to service, engaging our collective memory and subconscious understanding of duty and sacrifice. The act of posing, gloved and adorned, creates a powerful, if subtle, narrative that resonates across time. This iconography is ever-changing, adapting to the needs of the present while echoing the past.