Portret van een onbekende jongen 1877 - 1897

Lodewijk Hendrikus Serré captured this unknown boy in a photograph, a mere 102 by 62 millimeters, during a time when photography was still finding its footing as an art form. The boy's attire, a double-breasted jacket, speaks to the sartorial conventions of the era. The buttons, small metallic disks, function here as more than mere fasteners. They represent the cultural emphasis on order and the prevailing social expectations of the time. Consider the symbolic significance of clothing throughout history – garments that once signified status and belonging. The portrait encapsulates a moment in time, yet it hints at the eternal human impulse to capture and preserve individual identity. In his gaze, we may detect a trace of the 'pathos formula'. His look reflects humanity’s perpetual negotiation with destiny and its desire for recognition. The image invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of fashion, and the enduring human desire to leave a mark on the world.