Portret van een jonge man 1860 - 1900

Daniel Wikström created this small portrait of a young man using photography. Its dimensions speak to its purpose, a keepsake, something personal and easily carried. The sitter's neatly styled hair and the suit with a crisp white shirt and tie speak to the sitter's identity and social standing. The portrait provides a glimpse into the norms and values of the time, when portraiture, even in photographic form, was a signifier of status and belonging. The photograph invites contemplation on the representation of masculinity during the late 19th or early 20th century. It is a time when societal expectations around gender and identity were beginning to be both codified and questioned. How does this image adhere to those norms, and where might it subtly depart? Consider how this small, intimate image creates a connection between the past and the present, inviting us to reflect on themes of identity, representation, and the enduring power of the human image.