Portret van een jongen Possibly 1913 - 1926

Editor: This gelatin-silver print, “Portret van een jongen,” or "Portrait of a Boy", by Jan Gottfried Stütner, is thought to be from sometime between 1913 and 1926. There’s a striking formality in this monochrome portrait, from his neatly styled cap to his suit and tie. What do you see in this piece that maybe I’m missing? Curator: The portrait's period suggests an interesting point in history, especially regarding boyhood and its constructed identity. The clothing is perhaps trying to present an aspirational vision of this young boy's future in society. Considering its potential timeline and what was happening politically in Europe, what kind of statement could it make? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. I was just seeing the individual, but now that you mention the context, it makes me think about how even personal portraits can reflect broader cultural trends. The First World War was smack in the middle of those dates, wasn't it? Curator: Precisely! Consider how images were being used as propaganda, both explicit and implicit, during that period. While we cannot know with certainty the intent, the backdrop of war adds an entirely different lens, highlighting themes of innocence, societal expectations, and potential loss. How does knowing this change your impression of the image? Editor: It becomes a bit melancholic. The formality suddenly feels less about aspiration and more like a preparation, like presenting his best self before an uncertain future. So much weight placed on those young shoulders! Curator: Absolutely. And, it urges us to question who this image was for, who commissioned it, and the intentions behind its creation and preservation. What about you? Any other observations? Editor: The letters up top. It could be some photographer's studio imprint? Perhaps it’s an invitation to think about the picture as object. I learned so much today! Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's important to constantly remember the broader context and keep questioning art!