Portret van een jongeman, aangeduid als Louis 1877 - 1891

Here we see ‘Portret van een jongeman, aangeduid als Louis’ created with photography by Adolf Lasinsky. The small dimensions focus our attention on the individual, fostering intimacy. The oval frame, a soft, closed form, centres us on the sitter's face, directing our gaze without distraction. The sepia tone evokes a sense of nostalgia, distancing the viewer from the immediacy of the subject. Lasinsky uses the formal qualities of portraiture to convey the subject’s character and status. His choices – the man’s attire, his composed expression, and the classical framing – speak to a desire for order and the construction of a public persona. It is evident in this piece that photography is not just about capturing likeness but also about structuring identity. These formal elements operate within a cultural code, reflecting the values of representation and the subtle play between what is shown and what remains unsaid. The play between the surface and the depths of representation opens up many ways to interpret this carefully composed image.