Portret van onbekende militair 1822 - 1874

This is Christian Heinrich Gottlieb Steuerwald's portrait of an unknown military figure. Rendered through lithography, a printmaking technique using a stone or metal plate, the artwork employs a structured composition. The lithographic technique enables Steuerwald to craft a spectrum of tonal values, creating an interplay of light and shadow which defines the contours of the officer's face and uniform. The regular rows of buttons on his jacket, together with his high collar, bring a sense of formality and order. Yet, Steuerwald has introduced an asymmetry that hints at a more complex narrative. The figure is slightly off-center, drawing our gaze to the right side of the composition. The artist’s formal choices destabilize the conventional reading of military portraiture. The figure’s direct, somber gaze and the subtle asymmetries challenge fixed notions, inviting a broader meditation on identity. In essence, the lithograph becomes a dynamic site for interpretation.