Portret van een man met baard 1889

This is A. Th. Baert’s small portrait of a man with a beard. Though the exact date of creation is unknown, the photograph’s style can offer insight into the cultural context that shaped it. In the late 19th century, the rise of photography democratized portraiture. The photograph immortalized its sitter, but also reflected social status. Here, a man with a long, full beard is depicted. Facial hair in this period signaled masculinity, wisdom, and a certain level of social standing. His formal attire, including a suit and tie, further speaks to middle-class values and aspirations. What does it mean to construct oneself for the camera? This image is not simply a record, but a performance of identity, capturing not just a likeness, but an ideal. The photograph’s warm tones and intimate scale invite us to reflect on the stories and identities we each choose to frame and share.