Artwork

Old Peasant

Old Peasant, by Unknown, 1894
Old Peasant, by Unknown, 1894

Old Peasant is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Old Peasant, created circa 1894 by 1933_person, is a black-and-white photographic portrait housed at the Museum of Ethnography. The image presents a close-up of an elderly individual's face.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, an aged peasant, is portrayed with emphasis on the topography of their face, highlighting the effects of time through pronounced wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. The overall demeanor conveys a sense of simplicity and possibly outdoor living conditions.

Technique & Style

The photograph utilizes chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, to create dramatic depth. A faintly illuminated face emerges from a dark, shadowy background, accentuating the textured, wrinkled skin.

History & Provenance

Created in the late 19th century (c. 1894), the work is attributed to 1933_person. Its current location is the Museum of Ethnography, though specific details about its acquisition or earlier ownership are not provided.

Context

Given its late 19th-century creation, Old Peasant may reflect the era's photographic trends towards capturing everyday life and the human condition, potentially influenced by the artist's interest in rural or working-class subjects.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known