Portret van een man in een militair uniform c. 1862 - 1866

K. Buwalda captured this portrait of a man in military uniform using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The image offers a glimpse into the rigid social structures of the period. The uniform, with its precise detailing and symbolic adornments, speaks to the subject’s position within a military hierarchy, likely reflecting values of duty, honor, and national identity. During this period, the military was often associated with colonial expansion and the enforcement of social order. Consider how the portrait maintains traditional representations of masculinity and power through posture and dress. Note the man’s gaze: direct, but without obvious emotion. The portrait provides a complex view of how individuals navigated their identities within the confines of societal expectations and political realities. It reminds us of the emotional weight carried by those who served.