Portret van een jonge man in kostuum, aangeduid als B.P.G. van Diggelen 1860 - 1905

Jan Goedeljee created this small portrait of a young man, possibly B.P.G. van Diggelen, sometime in the 19th century. The sitter is presented in a costume that evokes a historical, perhaps theatrical, persona. During the 1800s, portraiture became more accessible to the middle class. The rise of photography democratized image-making, allowing more people to participate in shaping their public identity. This photograph is particularly interesting because of the sitter's costume. It suggests a deliberate construction of identity, perhaps reflecting an interest in historical narratives or a desire to align oneself with certain cultural ideals. The costume and the column create a sense of staged authenticity. How does the act of dressing up allow for a temporary escape from the confines of one's own identity? What does it tell us about the sitter's aspirations?