Portret van een onbekende man 1917

Albert Geudens made this portrait of an unknown man with crayon in 1917. The image shows a man with a top hat and cigar, suggesting an upper-class member of society. The top hat was a vital part of a wealthy man's wardrobe in the 19th and early 20th century and the cigar suggests an enjoyment of luxury. In the background, it seems like other men in top hats are visible. The image was made during World War One, a period of political and social change. In the Netherlands, where Geudens was from, there was poverty despite its neutrality. The image may subtly critique the social classes of the time. It could be highlighting the divide between the wealthy, who could afford top hats and cigars, and the poor, who were struggling to survive during wartime. To understand this image better, we can research the social and economic conditions in the Netherlands during World War One, revealing the complex social context in which Geudens created his work.