Portret van onbekende man 1822 - 1893

This lithograph from the mid-nineteenth century by Willem Troost portrays an unknown man. The portrait gives us an insight into the social conventions of the Netherlands at that time. The man's attire, a suit with a bow tie, suggests a certain level of formality and adherence to social norms of the period. The presence of what appears to be a book in his hand may allude to his education and perhaps a professional or intellectual standing. During this period, there was growing emphasis on literacy, education, and the cultivation of a refined self-image. Historical archives, fashion studies, and records from institutions for professional men of the time might reveal more about the sitter and Troost’s choices. The real meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context, and the historian's role is to reveal these conditions.