Portret van een man in militair uniform 1898 - 1940

Charles Henri Schouten captured this portrait of a man in military uniform with photography, a medium that, like painting, depends on light. The sepia tones wash over the man, softening the sharp edges of his uniform and face. It's fascinating how a monochrome palette can still convey so much depth and texture, especially in the details of the trim and buttons. Notice the subtle gradations of light across his face, how the shadow under his cap gives him a certain gravitas. The slight blur suggests movement, a fleeting moment captured, which reminds me that art isn't about perfect representation, but more about feeling. There’s a stillness to the image, a quiet observation. I'm reminded of the portraiture of someone like Gerhard Richter, where the blur becomes a kind of emotional weather. Schouten's photograph, like Richter's paintings, leaves space for ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own stories to the surface.