Portrait of a man in a bow tie 1890

Anton Azbe’s oil on canvas, “Portrait of a Man in a Bow Tie,” captures the sitter in quiet contemplation. Predominantly, the bow tie, a symbol of bourgeois respectability, is here loosened, hinting at a vulnerability beneath the surface. Consider the evolution of the necktie itself—from functional beginnings as a cravat worn by Croatian mercenaries to a symbol of sophistication, much like the ruff in Renaissance portraits which signaled wealth and status. The bow tie's modification here reflects a modern anxiety. This unbuttoning, so to speak, is seen again in the 20th century with Freud, where the unraveling represents the unveiling of the psyche. The image evokes a sense of melancholy, deeply rooted in the human condition. We see a shadow of bygone eras in its brushstrokes, a reminder that symbols once rigid evolve, and are imbued with personal meaning, as the subconscious shapes them, weaving a rich tapestry of human expression.