Portret van George I, koning van Griekenland c. 1863

Georg Emil Hansen made this portrait of George I, King of Greece. The photograph, in tones of sepia, presents a study in contrasts and controlled composition. The regal figure stands poised, his uniform detailed with sharp lines and ornamental flourishes. The chair to the left mirrors his upright stance. A curtain drapes in the background. Hansen meticulously balances light and shadow to sculpt the form and draw out textural contrasts. The formal composition directs our gaze to the King's face. The frame surrounding the image adds another layer, further isolating the subject within a constructed reality. Through the codes of portraiture, Hansen crafts not just an image, but an assertion of power and identity. It invites ongoing interpretation on the interplay of representation, authority, and the photographic medium.