Portret van een man in militair uniform 1895 - 1920

E. Gilles created this diminutive portrait of a man in uniform sometime in the past. Look at how the composition is split between the soft, cloudy backdrop and the sharp, formal details of the uniform. You can almost feel the artist carefully rendering each button and braid, trying to capture the dignity of the sitter. I wonder what Gilles thought of the subject? How did the sitter feel about having his picture taken? The subdued tones give it a timeless quality, but there's also a melancholy air. It reminds me of those old photos you find tucked away in antique shops, each one holding a silent story. It's a good reminder that art is always in conversation with what's come before.