Portret van Casper Albertus Bon 1882 - 1888

Louis Robert Werner captured this photograph titled "Portret van Casper Albertus Bon," using the albumen print technique. Notice the interplay of shapes and lines that structure this petite portrait. The oval vignette containing Casper contrasts with the rectangular frame, softened by rounded corners. The young subject's striped sailor suit provides a repetitive pattern, a visual rhythm offset by the smooth planes of his face and hands. This juxtaposition invites us to consider the tension between individual identity and social roles, themes common in 19th-century portraiture. The sepia tones lend the image a sense of timelessness, while the deliberate composition emphasizes the formal qualities of the photograph itself. Werner's approach creates a sense of structure that transcends mere representation. The artwork invites ongoing interpretation, reflecting broader artistic and philosophical concerns about representation and identity.