Portret van een onbekende man, gezeten aan een tafel 1863 - 1895

Eduard François Georges made this portrait of an unknown man, seated at a table, likely in the mid-19th century. The work is a small print, and it invites us to consider the social functions of portraiture during this time. In 19th-century Europe, portraiture became increasingly accessible to the middle classes through new printmaking technologies and the rise of commercial photography. As a result, the portrait became a means of asserting one's status and identity within a rapidly changing social landscape. The subject's anonymity is especially intriguing. Was this portrait commissioned by the sitter himself, or perhaps a family member? What does the act of commissioning a portrait say about the individual's aspirations and self-perception? By researching the artist's biography, the cultural context, and the printmaking techniques employed, we can shed light on the social and cultural forces that shaped this intriguing image.