Portret van een zittende jonge man in lange jas 1861 - 1890

Albert Greiner made this albumen print, "Portret van een zittende jonge man in lange jas," sometime in the mid-19th century. It's a classic example of bourgeois portraiture from the period, but even in its apparent simplicity, we can see the imprint of social and cultural forces. Photography in the 19th century became a powerful tool for constructing and reinforcing social identity. The sitter's clothing, pose, and the carefully arranged studio backdrop all speak to a desire to project a certain image of respectability and status. This was the era of empire, industrialization, and profound shifts in social structures, and photography played a role in defining what it meant to be modern, male, and successful. To truly understand this image, we can research into photographic archives, studio records, and period literature. These resources offer a glimpse into the complex relationship between art, identity, and social change.