Portret van een onbekende oude man 1864 - 1877

This is a portrait of an unknown older man, created by A. Delamare and A. Raguet. Photography in the 19th century was strongly linked to identity and representation. Photography democratized portraiture, previously reserved for the elite classes, yet it also introduced new forms of exclusion. The sitter’s formal attire and dignified pose suggest a desire to present himself in a respectable light. The lack of information about his identity raises questions about who gets remembered and how. Photography also emerged during a period of intense social and political change. The rise of industrialization, urbanization, and new ideologies had a profound impact on people’s understanding of themselves and the world around them. This portrait, like many others from the era, reflects a desire to capture and preserve individual identity amidst these rapid transformations. It reminds us to think critically about the power dynamics inherent in portraiture and representation.