Portret van een onbekende jongeman 1877 - 1897

This portrait of an unknown young man was made by Lodewijk Hendrikus Serré, most likely in his studio in Utrecht. It is a photograph, a relatively new medium in the late 19th century, and its small size suggests it was intended as a calling card, a popular format at the time. The photographic process itself is critical to understanding this image. The subject would have had to sit still for a relatively long exposure time. This influenced the final product, which may appear stiff or formal to our eyes, but was simply a result of the technical requirements. Moreover, photography was quickly becoming a business. Studios like Serré’s were part of a growing industry that democratized portraiture. Suddenly, it was not just the wealthy who could afford to have their likeness captured, but also the emerging middle class. This image is a testament to the changing social landscape, where new technologies and materials were reshaping not just art, but also everyday life.