Portret van een onbekende man, aangeduid als Th. Lucassen Possibly 1896

Idanus Hendrikus Slaterus made this portrait of an unknown man, possibly named Th. Lucassen, in the Netherlands, likely in the late 19th century. This small photograph offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the time, specifically the rise of portrait photography as a tool for social representation. The subject's suit and tie, along with his carefully styled hair, indicate a certain level of social status and adherence to bourgeois norms. The studio imprint, J.H. Slaterus, Leeuwarden, points to the growth of commercial photography studios catering to a desire for personal documentation and social display. Analyzing such images through a social history lens involves researching the studio's clientele, the conventions of portraiture in the Netherlands during this period, and the broader socio-economic factors that influenced the demand for photographic portraits. By examining these elements, we can understand the photograph not just as an individual likeness, but as a reflection of broader cultural values and social structures.