Portret van een zittende man met baard 1857 - 1864

Wegner & Mottu created this portrait of a seated man with a beard with photography, though the date of the work is unknown. The subject's crossed arms might suggest confidence, but also distance, perhaps hinting at the complex social codes of masculinity in the 19th century. Photography in this period offered new ways of seeing and representing individuals, yet it also reinforced existing power structures. Consider how the sitter's pose and attire reflect his social standing, and how the very act of commissioning a portrait was often a privilege of the upper classes. The stern gaze of the man invites us to reflect on the historical context of class and representation. What does it mean to look back at this image today, and how can we engage with its historical weight?