Portret van een man die leunt op een stoel 1861 - 1890

Albert Greiner created this small portrait of a man leaning on a chair, using photography, likely sometime in the late 19th century. During this time, photography became increasingly accessible, yet portraits like these were still powerful signifiers of social status and identity. Note the man’s poised demeanor, his arms crossed, and the slight upward tilt of his chin. These are gestures that communicate self-assurance, even authority. The man’s clothing - a patterned suit and vest - further speaks to his middle-class status. Consider the role of photography in shaping perceptions of masculinity during this era. How do images like this contribute to or challenge traditional representations of men and their place in society? Photography like this helped to disseminate particular notions of identity while simultaneously allowing for a wider range of people to participate in its construction. This portrait offers a glimpse into the complex interplay between individual identity and social representation in the late 19th century.