Portret van een man met snor 1883 - 1900

This is a portrait of a man with a mustache made by Johannes Laurens Theodorus Huijsen. In this albumen print, we see a man in a suit, his face partially obscured by shadow. The portrait, made in the Netherlands, likely in the late 19th century, speaks to the rise of photography as a tool for social documentation and personal expression. Consider the cultural context: the Netherlands was a society undergoing rapid industrialization and modernization at this time. Photography, still in its relative infancy, became a means for individuals to assert their identity and social standing. The man's attire and carefully groomed mustache reflect the values of the bourgeoisie. Details in the image subtly communicate social status and cultural values. The interpretation of this photograph depends on understanding the social and institutional forces that shaped it. By consulting archives, historical records, and studies of photography in the Netherlands, we can gain deeper insights into its significance as a cultural artifact.