Mansportret 1880 - 1886

This portrait presents us with a man captured through the emerging technology of photography, a medium still imbued with the aura of the uncanny at the time. Notice the careful attention to his attire. The bow tie, a seemingly simple knot, echoes through history, harking back to the cravats of the 17th century, symbols of status and elegance, which later morphed into expressions of middle-class respectability. Its presence here speaks of an aspiration, a desire to inscribe oneself within the ongoing narrative of social standing. Consider, too, how the bow tie has resurfaced, transformed, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts. From the flamboyant adornments of the aristocracy to the standardized uniforms of modern institutions, such symbols persist, echoing through the corridors of collective memory. The bow tie, a simple knot with profound resonances.