Portret van een onbekende man, aangeduid als Anton Hahn 1871 - 1885

Bernhard Hakelier made this photograph of an unknown man, possibly Anton Hahn, in the Netherlands sometime in the late 19th century. This carte-de-visite offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the Dutch middle class, specifically the rising professional class, which often used photographs as calling cards. Note the sitter's clothing: the cut of his suit, his bow tie, and the fob watch chain all speak to his economic status and social standing. Hakelier ran a commercial photography studio, so understanding the economics of his business gives us insight into the world of his clientele. Who were the people commissioning these images? And how did these portraits function within the Netherlands' complex social hierarchies? To answer these questions, we might look at studio records, census data, and fashion history archives. By examining the photograph in its institutional and social context, we can understand its deeper cultural significance.