Portret van een man in uniform c. 1865 - 1890

This is a portrait of a uniformed man by Paul Joseph Nicolas Nestor Schaffers. The work is a small photograph, its tones muted, and encased in what appears to be an album page. The man stands stiffly to attention with his weapon. The composition divides the space vertically, framing the central figure against a neutral backdrop. The photograph's structure creates a sense of formality and order, emphasizing the subject's role and status. The use of light and shadow subtly models the figure, drawing attention to the details of his uniform and the texture of the materials. The photograph is a semiotic text where the uniform, weapon and stance communicate power, duty, and authority. This representation invites us to consider the values and social structures of the time. It is a structured image that is still open to interpretation today.