Portret van apotheker Emile Enckels 1892 - 1895

This is a photograph of Emile Enckels, a pharmacist, made by Henri Crampon, who was born in 1860. This portrait offers a glimpse into the professional class of the late 19th century. Enckels is presented in a formal suit, a visual marker of status and respectability. The photograph captures more than just an individual; it reflects the broader societal values of the time. Enckels’s occupation as a pharmacist places him within a network of healthcare and scientific knowledge, fields that were becoming increasingly professionalized. Photography itself was rapidly evolving, democratizing portraiture, and changing how people perceived themselves and others. Consider how this image contributes to the narratives of identity and representation, inviting us to reflect on the historical contexts that shape how we see ourselves.