Portret van Herman Marius Boelen c. 1890 - 1892

This is a photograph, likely a carte-de-visite, by Albert Greiner, capturing the likeness of Herman Marius Boelen. The composition reveals a subdued palette, dominated by sepia tones that lend a sense of faded history. The subject, a young boy, is positioned in a three-quarter view, his gaze directed off-center, creating a sense of contemplative detachment. The soft focus and limited tonal range obscure fine details, encouraging a focus on form and structure rather than precise representation. Consider the semiotics at play here. The formal attire, combined with the subject's posture, hints at societal expectations and the construction of identity. The photograph, in its materiality, becomes a signifier of memory, inviting viewers to consider the layers of meaning embedded within its chemical makeup and the cultural codes it represents. It is a study in stillness and an invitation to reflect on the structures that shape both the individual and the art.