Portret van een man staand bij stoel, met hoed in de hand 1855 - 1880

This is a photograph by Joseph Dupont, titled "Portret van een man staand bij stoel, met hoed in de hand," or "Portrait of a man standing by a chair, with hat in hand." Dupont, working in the 19th century, offers us a glimpse into the era's rigid social structures through the portrait of this gentleman. The man’s poised stance, formal attire, and the presence of a chair, an object of domesticity, speak to the values of respectability of the time. Consider how the photographic medium itself democratized portraiture, making it accessible beyond the elite circles traditionally captured in painting. While portraiture had been a privilege, photography enabled the middle class to partake in self-representation. Yet, it begs the question: whose stories remain unseen? Whose likenesses were not deemed worthy of documentation? This image is a testament to both the possibilities and the limitations of representation in the 19th century. It invites us to reflect on the narratives that were promoted and those that were marginalized.