Portret van een staande man naast een tafel c. 1863 - 1866

This is a photograph of a standing man next to a table by Maurits Verveer, currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The photograph is dominated by a vertical orientation, emphasizing the full-length portrait of the man. The composition is structured around a balance between the figure and the table, creating a sense of posed formality. The man's posture, with arms crossed, establishes an immediate sense of presence and self-assuredness. The tonal range is subtle, relying on gradations of sepia to define form and texture. These choices in tonality evoke a sense of nostalgia and historical distance. Viewed through a semiotic lens, the portrait presents a complex interplay of signs. The table and books suggest intellectual pursuits, while his attire signals bourgeois status. Together, the elements in the photograph function as signifiers, creating a narrative about identity, profession, and social standing. The photograph destabilizes simple readings of character by presenting the sitter as both an individual and a representative of social conventions. The formal qualities of this photograph reflect broader artistic and philosophical concerns. Note how the deliberate composition creates a stage for the sitter to perform his identity. This highlights the photograph as not merely a record, but also a construction of self within the cultural codes of the 19th century.