Portret van een man met een snor en een strikje c. 1863 - 1870

This is a portrait of a man with a mustache and bow tie by K. Buwalda. Likely created in the late 19th century when photography was becoming increasingly accessible, this small portrait speaks volumes about the democratization of image-making and its effects on social identity. Carte-de-visite portraits like this one were relatively inexpensive and made it possible for people outside the traditional elite to participate in visual culture. The man’s attire suggests a certain level of social respectability, yet the photograph itself challenges traditional notions of portraiture previously reserved for the upper classes. The rise of photography also coincided with the growth of consumer culture. To truly understand this image, we'd need to delve into archival records, exploring photographic studios of the time, their clientele, and their role in shaping public perception. Understanding the institutional context of photography in the 19th century allows us to better grasp the social dynamics at play in this seemingly simple portrait.