Portret van een onbekende man in een toga of bontjas 1882 - 1891

This is an undated photograph by Edouard Fabronius, portraying a man in what appears to be a fur coat or toga. The image captures more than just a man; it encapsulates a statement about status and identity. Consider the fur coat itself. Historically, fur has been a marker of wealth, power, and even barbarity. Think of ancient rulers draped in animal skins to signify dominance. Yet, how different is this from the luxurious furs flaunted in Renaissance portraits? Here, the fur evokes a primal connection, a raw assertion of self, yet it’s softened by the trappings of bourgeois comfort: the chair, the table. This tension – the interplay between savagery and civilization – is palpable. It resonates with our collective memory, echoing through ages where clothing served as a powerful signifier of identity. It's a motif that resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts. This is a story, endlessly retold in the visual arts.