Portret van een onbekende man, aangeduid als Otto Tharvenius 1871

This is a photograph, by Henri Osti, depicting a man once thought to be Otto Tharvenius. The subject’s attire, particularly the bow tie, is steeped in bourgeois symbolism. Yet, stepping back, one might recall the evolution of neckwear itself. From practical beginnings as simple cloths protecting soldiers from the elements, it morphed into symbols of status, intellect, and belonging. Consider the cravat, precursor to the tie, flaunted by French nobility – its intricate knots speaking volumes about one’s social standing. In the painting, we see it simplified, democratized, the bow tie suggesting a reach for respectability. The desire for self-fashioning, for projecting an image of stability and decorum, echoes through time, a powerful force engaging us on a subconscious level. This yearning transcends eras, subtly resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.