Portret van Willem II, keizer van Duitsland 1880 - 1900

This photographic portrait of Willem II, Emperor of Germany, is presented within an album page. The photograph itself, characterized by its monochrome palette, captures the Emperor in formal attire, replete with military regalia. The composition relies on geometric shapes. The photograph is a rectangle, and the image is framed by concentric ovals, creating a sense of depth. The subject's gaze is directed forward, engaging the viewer directly, while the overall symmetry in his posture and adornments suggests authority and order. The framing of the photograph within the album evokes semiotic layers of meaning. The rigid structure of the album page contrasts with the individualistic portraiture, setting up a tension between public image and private context. This interplay complicates the reading of the portrait, moving beyond simple representation to questioning notions of identity, power, and the gaze. The work uses formalism to destabilize conventional understandings of portraiture by engaging with broader cultural and philosophical discourses.