Portret van Hjalmar Munsterhjelm before 1883

This is a portrait of Hjalmar Munsterhjelm, created anonymously through photography. Considered in its cultural moment, photography was still quite novel, and this portrait speaks to the rising bourgeoisie and their desire for representation. The clean lines and serious demeanor reflect a sense of self-importance and social ambition. The cultural context is critical: as photography democratized portraiture, it also highlighted social stratification. Munsterhjelm’s professional attire, complete with a carefully tied bow tie, signals a certain social standing. Understanding the political economy of image-making is key to grasping the social role of this portrait. To delve deeper, you might explore photographic archives, social registers, and historical accounts of professional life from that era. Only then can we fully appreciate how this portrait operates within—and perhaps reinforces—the social hierarchies of its time.