Portret van een onbekende jongen 1873 - 1892

This is an undated photographic portrait of an unknown boy by Idanus Hendrikus Slaterus. Slaterus was a Dutch photographer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time of significant social and political change. In this sepia-toned image, the boy leans against a balustrade. His gaze meets ours, and the formality of his dress—the dark suit, high-laced boots, and decorative embellishments—speaks to the conventions of portraiture at the time, particularly for children of the middle and upper classes. Yet, the image also conveys something of the sitter’s individual experience. The slight asymmetry of his pose, the soft light on his face, hint at a personality beyond the constraints of societal expectations. This image asks us to reflect on childhood, and how identity is shaped by both personal experience and societal norms. Who was this boy, and what became of him? The photograph remains, inviting us to consider the intersection of individual lives and historical forces.