Portret van Austin Brereton before 1886

This photographic portrait of Austin Brereton, its date unknown, was captured by Herbert Rose Barraud, and is found within the pages of a book. The monochrome image is carefully framed with a decorative border, emphasizing the subject's composed demeanor. Brereton is positioned in a way that his gaze leads the viewer’s eye across the frame, balanced by the fall of light across his face and attire. Notice how the formality of the portrait is mediated by the informality of the book format. The use of photography as a medium captures a moment of apparent reality, yet it is framed within a constructed narrative and performative identity. The portrait exists as a signifier of Brereton’s persona, carefully curated and presented for public consumption, highlighting photography’s ability to not just capture, but also construct reality. The composition of the image, placed thoughtfully within the book, challenges fixed meanings and invites continuous re-interpretation.