Portret van een onbekende, lezende man in een interieur before 1899

This is a photograph by Adalbert Athen, it depicts an unidentified man reading in an interior setting. The historical context of portraiture has often centered on portraying the wealthy, it is clear that the man is educated and middle class due to his access to literature and education. The gaze of the man is directed down to the book, his face in a shadow; this position indicates that it is the contents of the book that are more important than the model himself. The identity of the man is made less important than the act of reading. This artwork subtly shifts the traditional dynamics of portraiture, where the sitter's status and identity were paramount. Instead, Athen’s artwork implies the democratization of knowledge. In an era defined by strict social hierarchies and limited access to education, the image suggests a narrative where learning and intellectual exploration are open to an emerging middle class.