Zelfportret van Maurits Verveer 1850 - 1875

This is a portrait of Maurits Verveer by himself in a carte de visite photograph. The composition is dominated by the neutral tones and the hierarchical arrangement of elements. A small oval vignette shows the artist’s head and shoulders, set against a much larger blank field. The sepia tones create a nostalgic atmosphere, emphasizing the photograph’s materiality as an object from the past. The formal structure directs our attention to the face, where the texture of the beard contrasts with the smooth oval frame. The choice to isolate the figure in this way, invites consideration of the self and its representation, and the tension between presence and absence. This formal presentation is not just an aesthetic choice. It's a cultural and philosophical statement on identity, representation, and the evolving relationship between the self and the photographic medium. The photograph remains a testament to the enduring power of images to provoke thought and feeling.