Portret van een jonge man in kostuum met degen, aangeduid als G.J. Nijhuis 1860 - 1905

Jan Goedeljee captured this portrait of a young man, possibly G.J. Nijhuis, using photography, a relatively new medium in the mid-19th century. Goedeljee, working in the Netherlands, creates a staged scene reminiscent of earlier portraiture traditions, with his sitter posed in what appears to be historical costume. The photograph suggests a performance of identity. The sitter may be signalling a connection to a romanticized past, or perhaps, commenting on contemporary notions of masculinity and class through dress. The sword alludes to power and status, while the elaborate clothing speaks to a certain level of affluence. The subject’s confident stance and direct gaze invite us to consider how he wishes to be seen. This image prompts us to reflect on the ways individuals use clothing and historical references to construct and communicate identity. It is an exploration of the relationship between past and present, image and self.