Portret van een onbekende jongen op een stoel 1900 - 1948

This is Johannes Gerard Middendorp's small photographic portrait of an unknown boy seated on a chair. Dressed in a dark suit with a high-collared shirt, the boy’s identity is obscured by the generalization of youth. We might consider how social and cultural norms shaped the visual representation of children, and what expectations were placed on them. The attire suggests a certain level of formality and perhaps hints at a middle-class background. The photograph gives us insight into how gender and class were performed and documented during this era. What does it mean to not know the subject? How does the historical context influence our perception and interpretation of the sitter's identity and experiences? Middendorp's work encourages us to reflect on the power of portraiture. It serves as a reminder of the countless untold stories that make up the fabric of our shared past.