Vier portretten van acteur Ernst von Possart in de rollen Shylock, Napoleon en Advocat Berent 1890 - 1930

This little composite photograph by an anonymous artist captures Ernst von Possart in costume for four different roles. It's a monochromatic affair of silvers and grays, and each character has a different tonality. I’m always fascinated by actors – I like to imagine the process of embodying a character, especially the really famous ones like Shylock or Napoleon. You know, it's kind of like painting in that way; an investigation of self and other. Do you ever wonder how an actor prepares to become Napoleon? What parts of themselves do they excavate or discover? I love the layout, too, which adds a feeling of fragmentation – little windows into the soul of Possart. And, you know, it’s also like how a painter makes studies before creating a final painting. All these different versions lead to a greater understanding of what one wants to express. Art is a conversation between the players, across time, and media.