Portret van een man 1854 - 1865

This portrait of a man was produced as a photograph by P. Weijnen & Fils. The image speaks to the democratizing force of photography in the late 19th century. Prior to this era, portraiture was largely the domain of the wealthy, with painted likenesses serving as status symbols. The advent of photography allowed a broader segment of the middle class to participate in image-making and create their own visual records. This carte-de-visite, or visiting card, demonstrates the commodification of the photographic image. Consider the social codes being performed in the image. The man's dark suit, tie, and neatly trimmed beard project an air of bourgeois respectability. To further understand the significance of this image, one might explore the history of photography studios like Weijnen & Fils, as well as analyze collections of similar portraits to understand the prevailing norms and aspirations of the middle class.