Portret van een man met sigaar leunen tegen piëdestal 1862 - 1868

Christiaan Marcussen captured this photograph of a man with a cigar in the mid-19th century, a period defined by the rise of industrialization and evolving social norms. This portrait offers a glimpse into the construction of masculinity during that era. The subject is a man of means, confident and stylish, leaning casually against an ornamental pedestal. The cigar, the dark suit, and the carefully groomed beard were all symbols of status and worldliness. Yet, it also hints at a certain tension, a balancing act between the desire for individuality and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. How does this image affirm or subvert traditional representations of men? The man is depicted in a moment of relaxation, a contrast to the era's emphasis on productivity and labor. Through this small photograph, Marcussen invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity, class, and representation in a rapidly changing world, and how these continue to shape our perceptions today.