Portret van Axel Eemlund, zittend aan tafel met glas en fles 1855 - 1890

This photograph of Axel Eemlund, seated at a table with a glass and bottle, was taken by Johannes Jaeger sometime in the 19th century. The photograph presents a figure in leisure, perhaps a member of the bourgeoisie, caught in a moment of contemplation. The image creates meaning through its careful arrangement of visual codes. Eemlund's attire, the bottle and glass on the table, and his relaxed posture all point to a culture of affluence. Understanding the social and economic structures of 19th-century Europe, particularly the rise of the middle class and their cultural practices, is essential here. Jaeger, as the photographer, occupies a unique position. Were they commissioned to produce imagery that flatters its sitter, thus reinforcing existing social hierarchies? Or are they providing a knowing commentary on the vanity of wealth? To answer these questions fully we would need to dig into the archives, to find the photographer's letters and exhibition records, and to consider its place in the history of portraiture. The meaning of this artwork remains contingent on its historical context.