Portret van een jongeman 1851

This is Cornelis de Cocq's, "Portret van een jongeman" made with stone lithography. During the 19th century, portraits were not just about capturing a likeness; they were powerful statements about social standing and personal identity. As lithography democratized image making, portraits became accessible to a wider audience. The sitter is presented in a manner that reflects the values of the time: respectability and composure. Yet, the youth’s gaze seems to hold a hint of vulnerability, inviting us to consider the emotional complexities beneath the surface of societal expectations. Consider how the intersection of class and gender might influence our reading of the artwork. Is the sitter consciously performing masculinity? Does the artist break with or maintain traditional representations? This portrait provides a glimpse into the negotiation of identity in a rapidly changing world. It reminds us that even in formal portraiture, there is space for the individual to emerge.