Portret van een jonge man met stropdas 1860 - 1900

B. Obrist captured this portrait of a young man with a tie in a photograph of modest dimensions. The image seems to offer a glimpse into the aspirations of a young man, possibly seeking to climb the social ladder through the adoption of a suit and tie. Originating from an era where photography was becoming increasingly accessible, this portrait speaks to the democratizing influence of the medium. How does one use new technologies to project the image one wants to project? The composition frames its subject in a way that is reminiscent of formal portraiture, yet the sitter's relatively modest attire and the photograph's small size suggest a departure from the ostentatious displays of wealth and status. To fully understand the historical context of this photograph, one could look at the economic conditions and social structures of the time, perhaps by using census data or trade directories. The meaning of this small photograph is contingent on a broader understanding of social and institutional context.