Portret van een man met bakkebaarden 1869 - 1885

Johann Georg Hameter, a photographer active in Austria, created this portrait of a man, likely sometime in the late 19th century. The small dimensions suggest this was a carte-de-visite, a popular format at the time. These photographs served a specific social function. The rise of the middle class created a desire for portraiture, previously reserved for the wealthy elite. The carte-de-visite democratized this, allowing people to collect and exchange images of friends and family. Looking at the man himself, his attire – suit, waistcoat, and bow tie – signal middle-class respectability. The prominent sideburns were a fashionable statement. The formal pose and serious expression reflect the conventions of studio photography at the time. Understanding this image requires situating it within the history of photography and the rise of consumer culture. By looking at sources like photographic journals, studio directories, and social histories, we can learn more about the practices and meanings surrounding this seemingly simple portrait. The act of preserving one's image becomes a window into the aspirations and values of a particular social class at a specific moment in time.