Portret van een zittende man met bril 1860 - 1900

This small photograph, “Portret van een zittende man met bril,” or “Portrait of a seated man with glasses,” was created by Wegner & Mottu. During this time photography offered new possibilities for documenting likeness, as the sitter’s gaze meets ours, we might consider the intersections of identity and representation in the 19th century. The man's formal attire and seated pose reflect the conventions of bourgeois portraiture, signaling status and respectability. His glasses and the slight unease in his expression offer a glimpse into his character. Consider the historical context in which this image was made and received. In what ways does this portrait reinforce or subvert societal norms? How might the act of capturing an individual's image both empower and objectify the subject? Ultimately, this work invites us to reflect on the complexities of human identity and the ways in which we perceive and represent one another.