Portret van een onbekende man c. 1882 - 1914

Editor: This gelatin silver print, “Portret van een onbekende man,” by Hendrik Jonker, dates from around 1882 to 1914 and is held at the Rijksmuseum. What strikes me is how ordinary yet poised the man seems. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a careful construction of identity, mediated through the cultural symbols available to this man in this era. The photograph itself, as a relatively new technology, carried the weight of truth and memory. Note the meticulously groomed mustache, a powerful symbol of masculinity during this period, often associated with virility and strength. Editor: So the mustache wasn't just about personal style? Curator: Not at all. Think of it as a carefully chosen emblem. The man's suit, while simple, suggests respectability and perhaps aspiration. Every element, consciously or unconsciously, contributes to a visual narrative. Do you think he's aware of his image being carefully curated? Editor: It's hard to say for sure. The background is so neutral; he becomes the focal point, and it feels intentional. There’s no specific location. Curator: Exactly. This allows viewers across time to project their own associations onto him. He becomes an archetype of his time. The very anonymity reinforces this, becoming everyman within his historical moment. And do you think this photo says something beyond just his looks and status? Editor: Hmm, I guess seeing it like this, I get a sense of longing or perhaps ambition just beneath the surface, almost suppressed. Thanks, I’ll look differently at portraiture now.