Portret van een man 1864 - 1883

Leonard Stollenwerk captured this portrait of an unknown man, likely during the latter half of the 19th century. The photograph, with its oval frame and sepia tones, speaks to the conventions of portraiture at the time. Consider for a moment the man's identity, most likely a member of the bourgeoisie if able to afford a commissioned portrait, and the subtle markers of class evident in his attire. What does it mean to have one's likeness reproduced and preserved during this era? What does this technology mean for the lower class? Stollenwerk's work invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in portraiture and to think critically about the stories and subjectivities of those often absent from the historical record. Though the man’s personal story remains elusive, his presence in this photograph serves as a poignant reminder of individual lives lived within a particular historical and social context.