Portret van een man met snor in uniform 1878

Auguste Chapuis made this albumen print of a mustachioed man in uniform sometime around 1870. In the second half of the 19th century, photography emerged as a powerful tool for constructing and disseminating images of authority. The man’s crisp uniform, trimmed with epaulettes and polished buttons, speaks to the visual codes of military rank and social order. This portrait likely served to project an image of power, and to reinforce the idea of the military as a stable institution. We might consider what kinds of social mobility were made possible by the military at this time, and what other avenues for advancement were available. To fully understand this image, it's crucial to delve into archives and historical records to uncover the specific social conditions and institutional frameworks that shaped both the subject and the artist. Doing so allows us to appreciate how photography, served as a tool for shaping and reflecting the values of its time.