Portret van een onbekende jongen 1873 - 1913

Willem Philip van der Veken created this portrait of an unknown boy using an etching technique. Van der Veken was active in Belgium at a time when ideas about national identity were being formed and expressed through art. Here, the focus on a young boy raises questions about innocence, potential, and the shaping of future generations. The subject's clothes position him within a certain societal class. The meticulous details of his attire suggest an attempt to define his status and project an image of respectability. Yet, the subject's gaze and expression introduce a layer of complexity. The artwork serves not only as a record of an individual but also as a reflection on the values, expectations, and social structures of the time, leaving us to ponder the unseen aspects of this young boy’s life.