Zelfportret met vergrootglas 1864 - 1879

This is Leonard de Koningh’s self-portrait with a magnifying glass, crafted with photography. Immediately, we're drawn to the interplay of light and shadow across his face and attire, creating a study in contrasts. The composition is striking: the formal pose, the sitter's gaze, the carefully arranged accessories. De Koningh presents himself as a figure of authority and contemplation. The magnifying glass he holds becomes a focal point, a visual metaphor for scrutiny and detailed examination, perhaps reflecting the artist's own self-assessment or a commentary on the act of observation itself. Consider the semiotic implications: the suit, the tie, the very act of portraiture, all speak to codes of representation and identity. The photograph challenges traditional notions of selfhood. De Koningh seems to invite us to look closer, to question what we see, and to recognize the constructed nature of images.