Portret van generaal Georges Boulanger 1870 - 1890

This is an anonymous portrait photograph of General Georges Boulanger with dimensions of 137 by 95 mm. Framed by rounded edges, Boulanger is captured in the visual language of power. The composition directs our gaze to his face and military attire, each element meticulously designed to convey authority. The diagonal lines of his coat, accentuated by the stark contrast of light and shadow, converge towards his chest, emphasizing the medal—a semiotic symbol of bravery and service. There is a clear structure operating: the artist has constructed a visual hierarchy that leaves no question of Boulanger's status and public identity. Yet, it’s within this very formalism that we may question the constructed nature of identity and representation itself. The portrait asks us to consider how power is not merely held but performed, and how photography, with its inherent claim to objectivity, becomes a tool in the construction of this performance.