Portret van een man met baard in uniform 1866 - 1884

This is a small portrait of a man with a beard in uniform made by Albert Delabarre, though the exact date is unknown. The photograph is notable for its structured composition, with the subject positioned centrally, framed by the lines of his uniform and the decorative border. Notice the interplay between the soft focus on the man's face and the sharp details of his uniform buttons and trim. The sepia tones lend the image a timeless quality, yet the formality of the portrait speaks to specific codes of representation and social status of the period. The uniform with its regimented rows of buttons, and the precise grooming of the beard, all point to a highly structured social order. The formal qualities of the work – its composition and tonal range – serve not only aesthetic purposes but also communicate cultural values related to identity, authority and representation.