Portret van een jonge man 1881 - 1900

Lodewijk van de Winkel created this small portrait of an unknown young man, using the carte de visite format, a popular calling card in the late 19th century. During this period, photography became more accessible, allowing for a democratization of portraiture, yet it also reinforced certain social norms. Note the sitter's composed expression and formal attire, indicative of bourgeois aspirations. In these portraits, class and gender intersect: men were often depicted in professional roles, while women were presented as domestic figures. This photograph, while seemingly straightforward, is loaded with the codes of its time. Consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Who is seen, and how are they represented? This small image invites us to reflect on the construction of identity and the societal values that shape our perceptions.