Portret van een jongeman 1896 - 1900

This photograph of a young man was produced by the studio Ritscher & Landsman. Though undated, the formal attire and photographic style situate it in the late 19th or early 20th century. Consider the social context of photographic portraiture at this time. Photography was becoming increasingly accessible, yet remained a formal and somewhat ritualized process, especially for studio portraits. The subject's clothing and demeanor, his serious expression and carefully styled hair, reflect the social conventions of the time, where appearances were carefully curated to convey respectability and social status. This image thus speaks to the rise of the middle class and their aspirations in a rapidly changing society. To fully understand such an image, we might delve into genealogical records, fashion history, and the archives of photographic studios. Understanding the photograph in its socio-historical context allows us to see it not merely as an individual likeness, but as a document reflecting broader cultural values and social structures.