Portret van een man in militair uniform 1897 - 1920

This image, by Fritz Juhl, presents a man in military uniform, and it’s got this beautifully constrained palette, all muted tones, like a faded memory. You can tell it’s not about flashy virtuosity. It's more about a kind of quiet process, capturing a moment with honesty. The surface has a cool, smooth feel to it. It's all about the subtle shades, the way the light catches the fabric of the uniform. Take a look at the way the buttons are rendered – each one a tiny, careful dab. It’s like Juhl is thinking through his subject, one small mark at a time. And the way the light falls on his face, just a hint of warmth amidst the cool tones. There’s something about the directness here that reminds me of August Sander's portraits, that same focus on capturing the essence of the sitter without any frills. It’s a gentle reminder that art doesn’t always need to shout to be heard. Sometimes, it’s the quiet, thoughtful gestures that speak the loudest.