Portret van een onbekende man 1875 - 1877

This photograph, taken by Bernardus Bruining, presents us with an unknown man, captured in the formal attire of his time. But it’s the beard that commands our attention—a symbol of virility, wisdom, and perhaps a touch of the untamed. Throughout history, the beard has resurfaced as a potent visual signifier. Think of the ancient philosophers, their beards proclaiming their intellectual prowess. Then consider the biblical patriarchs, their beards emblems of authority and divine favor. Yet, as time marches on, the beard undergoes transformations. In some eras, it signifies rebellion against social norms; in others, a return to tradition. Our bearded man here projects an image carefully constructed. The collective memory we associate with facial hair engages us on a subconscious level; it evokes a deep-seated psychological response. The photograph captures a moment frozen in time, but the symbolic weight of the beard continues to resonate across the ages.