Portret van een onbekende man 1881 - 1905

This small photograph portrays an unknown man and was made by Louis Johan Cordes. The rise of photography in the late 19th century offered new ways of seeing and representing individuals. In this Dutch portrait, the subject's attire and pose reflect the conventions of middle-class respectability. The sitter’s identity may be lost to us, but he is undoubtedly someone keen to present himself in a particular light, employing the visual codes of the day to signal his social status and aspirations. The photograph itself is a product of a rapidly changing world, where technological advancements democratized image-making, but where a portrait like this remained a social performance. Understanding this image requires us to research the social and institutional contexts in which it was produced and circulated. By consulting archives, period publications, and other historical sources, we can learn more about the individuals and forces that shaped the visual culture of the time.