Portret van een jongen met een witte strik om de arm 1880 - 1920

Robert Gueniers made this small portrait of a boy using an early photographic process. Immediately, one notices the tonal range, dominated by muted sepias and punctuated by areas of stark white, particularly in the oversized bow tie and the delicate, fringed sash draped over the boy's arm. These formal elements invite a semiotic reading of the portrait. The bow tie, a symbol of youthful innocence, is amplified to the point of almost obscuring the boy. Similarly, the sash, with its intricate lacework, suggests a carefully constructed performance of identity. The boy's direct gaze, however, hints at a more complex relationship between the sitter and the codes of representation. The photograph's physical dimensions contribute to its meaning; the small scale creates an intimate viewing experience, inviting us to consider the nuances of expression and the layered symbolism embedded within this composed image. The portrait doesn't just capture a likeness; it presents a study in the visual language of its time.