Portret van man met pet 1834 - 1888

This is Arnoldus Jacobus Kouwels's "Portret van man met pet," a portrait of a man with a cap. Kouwels, living in the 19th century, was influenced by the social realism movement, seeking to represent the lives of ordinary people, often those from the working class. Here, the man's weathered face and simple attire speak to a life of labor. The cap and coat could be seen as markers of his social standing. The man’s gaze, slightly averted, carries a sense of weariness. Kouwels doesn’t shy away from showing the effects of time and labor on his subject’s face. What does it mean to truly see someone, especially when society often renders certain individuals invisible? Kouwels’s image invites us to consider the dignity and stories inherent in every person, regardless of their social status. In this way, the portrait reflects the identities and struggles within the cultural context of its time.