Portret van een onbekende man 1858 - 1889

This photograph of an unknown man was taken by A. Böeseken in Rotterdam. Böeseken lived in a time when photography was becoming more accessible, yet portraiture remained largely the domain of the middle and upper classes. In the portrait, the man is dressed in a suit and bow tie, gazing confidently at the camera. While his name and personal story remain a mystery to us, his clothing and demeanor speak to the aspirations and self-presentation of a particular social class in the late 19th century. His gaze invites speculation. As you consider this image, think about the stories hidden within it and reflect on the ways in which portraiture can both reveal and conceal the complexities of identity and history.