Studioportret van een man met bakkebaarden en een grote strik c. 1863 - 1866

This studio portrait captures a man with distinctive sideburns and a prominent bow tie, a carte-de-visite, created by I.H. Hoffmeister. Consider the bow tie: simple in form, yet it speaks volumes. Its origins trace back to Croatian mercenaries whose scarves protected their necks, a functional garment adopted by the French bourgeoisie as a symbol of sophistication. The cravat, predecessor to the bow tie, was not merely worn; it was tied with deliberate artistry. The bow tie in this portrait signifies more than just social status; it is a performative act, a deliberate presentation of self. It is a subconscious attempt to assert control and refinement. This self-fashioning resonates across time, mirroring how classical sculptures were meticulously crafted to convey power and virtue. The symbols we choose to adorn ourselves are never static, and their cyclical reappearance in different forms reminds us that culture is a living, breathing entity.