Portret van een onbekende jongeman met brede hoed 1861 - 1889

This is William Unger's "Portret van een onbekende jongeman met brede hoed", an engraving held at the Rijksmuseum. Unger created this portrait during a time when the Netherlands was grappling with its identity, seeking to define itself amidst broader European cultural currents. The sitter’s identity remains a mystery, but we can deduce aspects of his social standing through his attire. The broad hat and elaborate lace collar suggest a person of means, deeply entrenched in the fashion norms of his time. The choice to depict an unknown individual raises questions about who gets remembered and celebrated in art history, and about class and social mobility. Unger’s technique creates a sense of intimacy, inviting us to speculate about the sitter’s life. Consider the gaze of this unknown young man. What does it mean to look back at him across the centuries? This piece prompts us to reflect on the fleeting nature of identity and the enduring power of art to preserve and question who we are.