Portret van de violist Joseph Joachim (1831-1907) 1860 - 1875

This is a photograph of the violinist Joseph Joachim, made by Robert Severin in the mid-19th century. At the time, photography was still a relatively new medium, and portraiture was one of its most popular uses. This image can tell us a lot about the cultural values of the time. Joachim was a celebrated musician, and this portrait would have been a way for people to connect with him. The photograph itself, as a reproducible image, democratized access to Joachim's likeness, making him a more public figure. Severin, as the photographer, also played a role in shaping Joachim's image. He was "Phot. de S. M. le Roi" - Photographer of His Majesty the King. Presumably Severin's position gave Joachim a reason to choose him to take his photograph. To understand this photograph fully, we might research the history of photography, the career of Joseph Joachim, and the role of music in 19th-century society. Only then can we appreciate the complex social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception.