Portret van een man 1880 - 1920

This photograph by Gerschel aîné captures a man in what appears to be a moment of contained composure. His arms are crossed, a gesture that speaks volumes across centuries. The crossed arms—a seemingly simple act—echoes through art history. Consider Roman emperors depicted with a similar stance, projecting authority and self-assurance. Yet, here, in this modern portrait, the gesture carries a different weight. It speaks of the internal restraint expected in bourgeois society. The pose becomes a mask, concealing perhaps anxieties or ambitions beneath a veneer of respectability. This transformation reveals how symbols are never static, evolving with the changing tides of culture and societal norms. It’s a powerful reminder that we are all, in some ways, performers in the grand theatre of history.