Portret van David Young before 1875

This photogravure titled "Portret van David Young" was created by Thomas Annan sometime in the 19th century. We see a book opened to reveal a mounted photographic portrait on the right-hand page. The portrait is a rectangle surrounded by the emptiness of the page. The contrast between light and shadow in the photograph draws our eye to David Young’s face. The subject is holding a piece of paper, his gaze directed down towards it, creating a sense of introspection. The soft focus and sepia tones give the image a timeless quality. The portrait’s rectangular frame emphasizes its constructed nature. It’s a carefully composed image, not just a snapshot. Annan has created a space where the real and the represented intersect, inviting us to reflect on the nature of photography itself. The photograph challenges our understanding of representation and reality. It prompts us to examine the codes and conventions that shape our perception of the world.