Portret van een onbekende man 1877

Albert Dillens created this small etching of an unknown man during a time when the rising middle class sought ways to immortalize themselves through art. This work invites us to consider the socio-economic dynamics of 19th-century portraiture. During this time, portraiture served as a powerful marker of status and identity. Dillens, positioned within the Belgian art scene, captured the likeness of this unidentified man with meticulous detail. While we don't know the sitter's name or story, his confident gaze, neatly styled hair, and formal attire hint at a bourgeois identity. The portrait subtly communicates aspirations of upward mobility. Consider how traditional notions of masculinity are presented here. The mustache, a symbol of virility, contrasts with the softer, more contemplative expression. Dillens presents a man navigating the complexities of his era. This image also prompts us to think about who has historically been deemed worthy of representation. Who is included, and perhaps more importantly, who is excluded from the visual narratives of history?