Portret van een jongeman 1894 - 1920

Anton Cornelis Thomann made this small portrait of a young man, most likely using photography, at some point in his career. It's funny how these old photos have this way of collapsing time. The sharp focus and soft gradations of tone create a sense of intimacy, like we’re peering into a moment frozen in time. There’s a particular spot on the young man’s jacket, just above his pocket square, where the light catches the fabric. It’s this tiny detail that brings the whole image to life. Thomann's work reminds me a little of early Gerhard Richter, who also understood the power of photographic realism to convey complex emotions. Both artists seem to be grappling with the way images shape our perceptions of reality. Ultimately, art is about asking questions rather than providing answers.