Fotoreproductie van een geschilderd portret van de beeldhouwer Arthur du Passage 1899 - 1910

This is a photographic reproduction by Michel Berthaud, taken sometime in the late 19th century, of a painted portrait of the sculptor Arthur du Passage. Notice the interplay between the square format of the photograph and the oval frame of the painted portrait it captures. This contrast creates a compelling visual tension, drawing our eye to the textures within: the smooth sheen of the frame, the soft drape of the fabric backdrop, and the rich details of du Passage's beard. Berthaud’s choice to photograph a painting raises questions about representation and reality. It adds another layer to the portrait, transforming it from a direct likeness into a mediated image, a copy of a copy. This process destabilizes the idea of a single, authentic representation, inviting us to consider how meaning shifts with each reproduction. The sepia tone unifies the disparate textures, reminding us that the photograph itself is an object, with its own material presence shaping how we perceive the artwork.