Portret van een onbekende jongen met een bril c. 1893 - 1900

Adriaan Bos Jr. captured this portrait of an unknown boy with a pair of spectacles using a photographic process of his time. The sepia tones dominate, casting a warm, antiquated feel. Light and shadow define the boy’s features, highlighting the set of his jaw, the glint of his glasses, and the formality of his attire. Bos positions the boy centrally, flanked by props—a potted plant and a faux brick structure—which frame him within the composition. The texture of the backdrop, combined with the sharp focus on the boy, creates a layered visual experience. This work engages with semiotics. The boy's suit and glasses serve as signs, symbols of status. The carefully arranged set acts as a constructed reality, questioning the authenticity of photographic portraiture. It also provides a glimpse into cultural codes that dictated how individuals wished to be perceived. The photograph's formal qualities extend beyond aesthetics; it is a cultural and philosophical statement that encourages ongoing interpretation and reflection on the nature of representation.