Portret van een onbekende jonge man 1881 - 1887

This is a photograph by Jacques Chits, portraying an unknown young man. Notice how the young man confidently poses with his foot resting on a felled tree trunk, an ancient symbol of power, strength and dominion. The motif echoes classical statues of rulers and heroes across time and cultures, from Roman emperors to Renaissance monarchs. Think of Augustus of Prima Porta whose posture exudes authority. The gesture connects the sitter to a lineage of leadership and virtue. The image, while seemingly simple, taps into deep cultural memories. It's a potent symbol that, despite evolving contexts, retains its primal association with control and influence. It's this cyclical recurrence and transformation of symbols that reveals the enduring emotional and psychological power embedded in visual culture.