Portret van Henri Bernhard Cayaux, militair 1877 - 1884

This is a portrait of Henri Bernhard Cayaux, a military man, created by the Hisgen Brothers. The subdued sepia tones give the photograph a timeless quality, while the formal composition places emphasis on Cayaux's stern yet composed expression. Let's consider the structure of this portrait. The subject is centrally framed, which conveys stability and authority. The military uniform, with its sharp lines and ornamented details, functions as a signifier of power and status. The photograph's materiality – its small scale, its function as a carte-de-visite – suggests intimacy, yet this is balanced with a calculated representation of military bearing. What we see here is a play between public image and personal identity. While Cayaux is presented within the codes of military authority, the photograph also captures an individual, suggesting a complex interplay of representation and reality. This photograph destabilizes fixed notions, inviting contemplation on the multilayered nature of identity itself.