Portret van een man met een sigaar c. 1857 - 1880

This vintage photograph, "Portret van een man met een sigaar" by Woodbury & Page, captures a seated man in muted tones of brown and cream. Notice how the formal composition divides the scene into distinct segments. The subject's pose draws your eye, his head resting thoughtfully on his hand. The diagonal line created by his arm leads us to the subtle detail of the cigar he holds, suggesting a narrative of leisure or contemplation. The textured quality of the photograph is heightened by the soft gradations of light and shadow, typical of early photographic processes. The sharp lines of his clothing contrast with the soft focus of his face, destabilizing the viewer's gaze. This technique, which emphasizes certain details while obscuring others, is a semiotic sign that encourages us to decode the image beyond its surface. It invites us to question how the elements are constructed.