Portret van een zittende jonge man 1860 - 1890

Editor: This albumen print, "Portret van een zittende jonge man," likely taken between 1860 and 1890 by Michel Berthaud, has such a stillness to it. The sepia tones create an air of bygone days, a touch melancholic, really. What stands out to you about it? Curator: The wistful gaze, wouldn't you say? He's caught between childhood and something more serious, almost yearning. Think of it - each photo from this time required laborious work to print, so the sitter is invested. And the photographic gaze was just beginning to capture a broader scope of sitters. Editor: Yes, I see that now. What’s your impression of his clothing? It looks quite formal, almost theatrical. Curator: Absolutely! Observe the cut of his suit, the perfect bow tie; he is adorning and performing a role of great import! Don’t you feel a tension between the formal presentation and the palpable anxiety on his face? That tension makes it such an enduring piece, and makes him, as the sitter, a true subject of interest to us. Almost as though he is revealing more than he knows! Editor: It's funny, now I sense both his presence and his absence. There’s so much we can read into this young man’s image, isn't it? Thanks so much for clarifying that for me. Curator: The pleasure is mine! Photography like this creates the chance to pause and feel deeply connected with individuals long gone, doesn't it? What a joy that it remains available for us to view now.