Portret van een onbekende man 1870 - 1885

Gustaf Alfred Johanson Dahllöf created this small cabinet card portrait of an unknown man, likely in his Stockholm studio. During the late 19th century, photography became increasingly accessible, allowing the middle class to participate in image-making. This portrait encapsulates the era's rigid social codes. The man’s formal attire and meticulously groomed mustache speak to the performative aspects of bourgeois masculinity. His posture is upright, reflecting a desire for respectability and status. Yet, the photograph also hints at the alienation and stoicism often associated with the male gender role during this period. Dahllöf, as a commercial photographer, was both an artist and a businessman, navigating the demands of his clientele while also contributing to the visual culture of his time. This portrait is a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between identity, representation, and social expectation in the burgeoning age of photography.