Fotoreproductie van een gravure van een portret van Johannes Petrus Hasebroek before 1874

Here we see a photographic reproduction of an engraved portrait of Johannes Petrus Hasebroek. The structure of the artwork is immediately striking, dominated by a central oval containing the portrait, which creates a focal point amidst the ornamental embellishments. The anonymous artist has carefully balanced symmetry and detail, using the oval to frame Hasebroek’s likeness, drawing our eye to his expression. The ornamental motifs introduce a semiotic layer, with their repeated patterns suggesting not just decoration but a code of status and formality, typical of portraiture of that era. The choice of sepia tones enhances the sense of historical distance, evoking nostalgia. This stylistic decision aligns with broader artistic and philosophical concerns of the period, where images were often designed to convey symbolic meanings. The formal qualities of the photograph and the engraving thus function as a dialogue between the individual and their representation. The artwork invites us to reflect on how images construct identity and communicate cultural values across time.