Portret van Alfred de Vigny 1862

This undated portrait of Alfred de Vigny was produced by an anonymous photographer. It captures the French aristocrat, novelist, playwright, and poet in a formal pose. Consider the traditional expectations for men in 19th-century Europe; here, de Vigny is depicted in a way that emphasizes his status and intellect. The dark, heavy clothing and the column in the background speak to the conventions of wealth and power. There is a certain emotional distance in his eyes, which speaks to the period's emphasis on stoicism, especially amongst men of the upper class. What does it mean to perform a certain kind of masculinity for the camera? This photograph preserves a very specific kind of identity, one shaped by social expectations. The image subtly communicates the complex interplay between personal identity and societal norms.