Portret van een onbekende man, staande naast een stoel 1857 - 1868

This portrait of an unknown man standing next to a chair was created by Christaan Marcussen in the 19th century. The man stands in an affected pose, both hands in display; one holding the chair, the other tucked in his jacket. His pose strikes me. The subject's assured stance and sartorial elegance echo across epochs, reminiscent of classical sculptures of antiquity and Renaissance portraits of nobility. A pose of power and stability. The hand tucked into the coat, a gesture repeated through time, from Napoleon to modern leaders, signifying confidence and composure. It appears throughout history, from ancient sculptures to contemporary portraits. Observe how this motif has been co-opted and re-imagined, adapted to convey authority and self-assurance. It reveals our collective subconscious associations with power and control, engaging us emotionally on a primal level. The evolution of these symbols shows us how images are transmitted across time and culture, constantly transforming, layered with new meanings, yet still tethered to their origins.