Alfred Von Tirpitz 1916

Nicola Perscheid created this portrait of Alfred Von Tirpitz, and right away, I'm struck by how photography, much like painting, is a process of layering light and shadow to create form. Look at the material quality of this image. It's not just a flat representation. It's got this incredible depth, right? Think about the way Perscheid uses light to define the textures of the beard, the uniform, and especially the medals. Each one seems to catch the light in its own way, creating this constellation of shapes on the sitter's chest. It reminds me that art isn’t just about what you see, but how you see it. Notice the way the light falls across his face, it creates a sense of monumentality. It's almost like Perscheid is sculpting with light, revealing the underlying structure beneath the surface. In the end, portraiture is all about trying to understand someone, even if it's just a glimpse. It is always an interpretation.