Portret van een onbekende man before 1902

This is a photograph by A. Wicky, a portrait of an unknown man, that I found reproduced in a book. It is a black and white image, which gives it a timeless feel, a sense of history. The image is finely detailed. Look at the man's beard, how the light catches the individual strands. It reminds me that even with photography there is still an element of interpretation, of mark making. There is a real sense of tone, the gradations from light to dark, and it is these subtle tones that create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality. The man's gaze is directed slightly upward, as if he is looking towards the future. The way the light falls across his face creates a sense of dignity, but also vulnerability. There’s an intimacy in the profile view that reminds me of the work of August Sander. It's a reminder that art, in all its forms, is about seeing and making us see.