Portret van William Ernest Henley 1901

This is William Nicholson’s portrait of William Ernest Henley, rendered in an etching sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Here we see Henley, a literary figure of the time, sporting a distinguished beard and a wide-brimmed hat. Nicholson captures more than just a likeness; there's a depth to the portrayal that hints at Henley’s own struggles with identity and health. As a young man Henley suffered from tuberculosis, and the amputation of his foot became a defining event in his life. What’s compelling here is how Nicholson negotiates the space between public persona and private experience. Henley was known for his writings about overcoming adversity, and we see that reflected in his gaze. Nicholson gives us a glimpse into the quiet dignity of a man who lived with pain, while allowing Henley to maintain a sense of self-possession. It prompts us to consider the masks we all wear and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.