Portret van een onbekende jonge man 1880 - 1900

E. v.d. Kerkhoff created this portrait of an unknown young man, using photographic techniques and glasswork. Made in the Netherlands, the portrait offers an interesting glimpse into the visual culture of the late 19th or early 20th century. The formal attire of the sitter suggests a society valuing bourgeois respectability. The very act of commissioning a portrait – especially one framed so elaborately – speaks to notions of social status and the desire for upward mobility. The handcrafted frame, with its colorful glass inlays, moves away from typical institutionalized art and creates a domestic, cozy scene. While the sitter’s identity remains unknown, the portrait itself acts as a historical document, offering us a glimpse into the aspirations and self-representation of the Dutch middle class during this period. To understand the cultural and social context in greater detail, scholars might consult period photography manuals, social histories of the Netherlands, and studies of glassmaking techniques. Art history thrives on uncovering such connections, enriching our understanding of both the artwork and the world that shaped it.