Portret van een man met snor en baard 1860 - 1900

This portrait, "Portret van een man met snor en baard," by Ernst Schroeter, presents a window into the conventions of masculine identity in its time. Without specific dates for the artwork or the artist, we can infer based on the photographic style and the man's attire. The meticulously groomed beard and mustache, coupled with the formal jacket and tie, speak to a bourgeois identity. This image is likely from an era where photography was becoming increasingly accessible. This development allowed for a wider range of individuals to participate in the construction of their public image. Portraits like this one would have been instrumental in shaping perceptions of status, respectability, and belonging within a specific social milieu. Consider the act of sitting for a portrait. It was a performative act that allowed individuals to assert their place in society and leave a lasting impression for posterity. Schroeter's work, therefore, encapsulates a moment in history where identity and representation were deeply intertwined with social aspirations.