Reproductie naar een foto van Willem Witsen c. 1860 - 1915

This is an anonymous reproduction of a photograph of Willem Witsen. In fin-de-siècle Europe, a man’s portrait was more than a simple likeness; it was a declaration of identity. Here, Witsen presents himself as a figure of cultivated masculinity. Yet, the stark contrast between light and shadow adds an air of mystery, hinting at complexities beneath the surface. The choice to reproduce Witsen’s portrait speaks volumes about how images circulate and gain meaning. This photograph challenges traditional notions of authorship and originality. As we consider this image, we might ask ourselves, whose gaze are we truly encountering? Is it Witsen’s, the anonymous photographer’s, or our own? This reproduction invites us to reflect on the layers of representation embedded within a seemingly straightforward portrait.