Portret van een onbekende man, aangeduid als A. W. Noorduijn Possibly 1874

This sepia photograph by Kannemans & Zoon shows us a man in a suit and bow tie, his hand resting on a fringed table. The simple bow tie, an evolution of earlier neckwear, speaks of transformation and shifting social symbols. A bow tie is more than a simple knot; it's a mark of distinction. We see it echo through history, from the practical cravats of Croatian mercenaries to the elaborate lace collars of the Renaissance elite, each iteration signaling status and identity. Consider the motif of restraint and composure, evident here in the sitter's posture. Compare this controlled demeanor with the flamboyant gestures of Baroque portraiture, where dramatic poses convey power and emotion. Here, the man’s self-presentation whispers of societal expectations, a mask of propriety carefully constructed for the public gaze. The psychological weight of inherited symbols is evident in this unassuming portrait, a dance between individual identity and collective memory.