Portret van Syntax 1883 - 1884

This phototype portrait of Syntax was created by Friedrich Carel Hisgen. Hisgen, who was active during a time when anthropology and photography were deeply intertwined, made this portrait within a socio-historical context marked by scientific explorations of racial categorization. Syntax, the subject, confronts us directly with a composed and self-assured gaze. His identity as a Black man during this period reflects a complex intersection of race, representation, and power. The image evokes questions about the politics of looking. How does the act of photographing Syntax reflect broader power dynamics inherent in colonial and scientific practices? Consider the emotional impact of this image. What does it mean to see Syntax, not merely as a specimen but as an individual with his own history and humanity? This photograph is a powerful statement about visibility, dignity, and the reclaiming of identity within the historical narrative.