Portret van een onbekende man 1875 - 1886

This portrait of an unknown man was produced by Dahllöf & Co. in Stockholm. The photograph gives us a glimpse into the culture of portraiture and the emerging middle class in Sweden. It reminds us how the camera democratized representation. Looking at the subject's clothing, the cut of his jacket and tie, and his neatly styled hair, we see how the sitter wants to represent himself. Dahllöf & Co., were jobbing professionals and their studio provided the technology that allowed ordinary people to participate in visual culture. To fully understand this portrait, it is crucial to consider the social context in which it was made. What were the economic conditions that allowed the sitter to afford a portrait? How did photographic studios operate as businesses? These are the questions that art historians try to answer, using a wide range of resources, from census records to fashion magazines. The meaning of this photograph is contingent on its social and institutional context.