Portret van François Laurent before 1880

This anonymous portrait of François Laurent, housed in the Rijksmuseum, dates from before 1880. The portrait is presented in an oval frame, reflecting the popular photographic portrait styles of the 19th century. The subject is dressed in formal attire, and the image’s overall tone is one of formality and precision. The use of a simple, black and white format, combined with a formal pose, suggests the image’s likely purpose as a traditional portrait for personal or professional use.