Portret van een onbekende baby op een vacht 1884 - 1910

This is an undated photograph of an unknown baby on a fur rug, made by Adrianus Kok. The sepia tones, muted and soft, lend the image a timeless quality. The composition centres on the contrast between the smooth skin of the baby and the ruffled fur. Note how the plush fur creates a textural depth that surrounds and almost swallows the child, while the baby's smooth skin and simple dress offer a stark contrast in texture. The softness of the fur challenges our expectations of portraiture. Kok is more interested in the play of light and texture than in capturing the specific likeness of his subject. The photograph destabilizes conventional portraiture by obscuring and softening the individual features of the baby. This artistic choice invites a broader reflection on the nature of representation itself. Through this lens, we can consider how photography challenges fixed meanings.