Portret van een onbekende Groningse student in maskeradekostuum 1896 - 1900

Jan Frederik Blöte, a photographer in Groningen, made this portrait. It depicts an unknown student in masquerade costume. Masked balls and fancy dress were common forms of entertainment among the educated classes in the Netherlands at the time. Looking at the image, we can tell it was made sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The theatrical backdrop, the sitter's pose, and the sepia tones are typical of photographic portraiture from this period. The student's costume is an interesting blend of historical styles. He wears a ruff and cavalier hat reminiscent of the Dutch Golden Age, but the cut of his jacket and trousers is more contemporary. He is also holding a rapier, a type of sword that was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. What can be made of this strange collection of signifiers? Perhaps the student was making a statement about his identity or his place in society. The costume could be a way of expressing his individuality or his affiliation with a particular group. To understand the photograph better, historians might consult archives, university records, and period newspapers. By placing the image within its specific social and institutional context, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its meaning and significance.