Portret van een acteur in kostuum, aangeduid als Henri Westberg 1860 - 1890

Gösta Florman captured this portrait of Henri Westberg, an actor adorned in an elaborate costume. Consider the ruff around his neck—a symbol of status and refinement—its echoes reverberate through history, from the rigid formality of the Elizabethan era to the flamboyant elegance of the Baroque period. These theatrical garments serve as potent symbols of transformation. The stage has always been a liminal space where actors become conduits for exploring diverse facets of the human experience, tapping into collective desires and anxieties. Observe the actor's composed yet enigmatic gaze, inviting us to ponder the interplay between identity and representation. The photograph serves as a mirror, reflecting not only Westberg's likeness but also our own subconscious desires for self-expression and reinvention. It reminds us that we, too, wear costumes of our own, as we perform the roles that society expects of us.