Portret van Albéric Ruzette before 1898

This is an undated portrait of Albéric Ruzette, created by an anonymous artist. It gives us a glimpse into the visual culture of its time, likely the late 19th or early 20th century, when formal portraiture was a common way to document and commemorate individuals. Given the subject's attire and demeanor, Ruzette likely belonged to the middle or upper class. The portrait is interesting not only for its subject but also for what it tells us about representation and identity in that era. The portrait is a static and formal image, offering a constructed version of the sitter. What aspects of Ruzette’s identity were left out to adhere to the conventions of portraiture? Think about the power dynamics inherent in portraiture, the ways in which it can both reveal and conceal aspects of identity. Consider how this image shapes our understanding of history, and what it omits.