Staande jongeman, lezend in een boek c. 1847 - 1875

Henri Hymans created this print, "Standing Young Man Reading a Book," in Belgium sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It depicts a young man in historical garb, caught in a moment of study. But more than the simple act of reading, it speaks to the changing status of knowledge and learning in the 19th century. Looking closely, we can see that the figure is surrounded by trappings of wealth and education: books, fine furniture, and ornate wall coverings. The setting suggests an intimate, private space, where the pursuit of knowledge is both a privilege and a pleasure. In a rapidly industrializing world, access to education was increasingly seen as a means of social mobility and personal advancement. The image speaks to the aspirations of a rising middle class, eager to embrace culture and learning. To understand this image fully, we might consider how it engages with earlier traditions of portraiture, as well as the burgeoning market for prints and reproductions in 19th-century Europe. What does it tell us about the social and cultural values of its time?