Portret van een man 1860 - 1890

Jan Goedeljee made this intimate portrait of a man, using albumen print, likely sometime in the mid-19th century. During this period photography was becoming increasingly popular. This small photograph offers us a glimpse into the rigid gender roles and class distinctions of the era. The sitter’s formal attire, complete with a suit jacket and bow tie, signifies his middle-class status and adherence to societal norms. Yet, his piercing gaze and the subtle tension in his expression hint at the complex emotions and inner life that might lie beneath this veneer of respectability. As we observe this man, we might reflect on the countless untold stories of individuals who lived through times of immense social change. We can consider the limitations and expectations they faced and recognize how their identities were both shaped and constrained by prevailing cultural norms.