Portret van een staande jongen 1876 - 1890

Jean-François Meeus-Verbeke created this small portrait of a standing boy, sometime in the late 19th century. This photograph raises interesting questions about the performance of childhood and class in Belgium at that time. The boy, dressed in a tailored suit, strikes a casual pose, leaning against an ornate stool. We might ask, what social codes are being communicated through this image? The carefully chosen attire and composed posture suggest a family of means, keen to present a particular image of their child to the world. Understanding such an image requires historical investigation, digging into archives to research the clothing, furniture, and photographic practices of the Belgian bourgeoisie. By understanding the institutions and social expectations of the time, we can begin to decode the messages embedded within this seemingly simple portrait. We can reflect on the role of art as a product of specific social conditions and as a marker of social identity.