Portret van een onbekende man, mogelijk genaamd Jacobs 1832 - 1889

Hermann Sagert made this portrait of an unknown man, possibly named Jacobs, sometime in the mid-19th century. Sagert was a lithographer, a profession that grew in prominence as the print market expanded and cheap reproductions became commonplace. Looking at this portrait through a social lens, we see a man of means, evidenced by his formal attire and the medal he wears. This image speaks to the rise of the bourgeoisie in 19th-century Europe, a class that sought to emulate the aristocracy through portraiture and other status symbols. The very act of commissioning a portrait was a statement of social standing. Historical archives could help us determine the sitter’s identity and the specific social circles in which he moved. Perhaps he was a successful merchant, a government official, or a member of a learned society. Ultimately, this portrait is not just an image of an individual; it is a reflection of the social and economic transformations of its time.