Portret van een man in uniform met zwaard 1874 - 1881

Albert Delabarre made this portrait of a man in uniform with a sword, using photography to capture a moment in time. The composition is formal, with the subject posed stiffly. This echoes the conventions of 19th-century portraiture. The muted tones emphasize the texture of the uniform and the ornamentation of the sword. Together they create a sense of depth and materiality. The sitter’s gaze is directed away, perhaps suggesting a level of detachment or introspection, pulling the viewer in. The sword and uniform act as semiotic markers, pointing to military service and status. Yet, the man’s relaxed posture and slight smile challenge the rigid codes of representation often found in military portraits. This tension reveals the shift from traditional forms of power to the rise of individuality and the early days of photography. The framing of this photograph adds another layer to its reading. The subject is bordered by an oval shape with rounded corners. It emphasizes a romantic sensibility that tempers the authority suggested by his attire. This dialogue between form and content invites us to question fixed meanings and to consider the interplay of identity, representation, and historical context.