Portret van een jonge man 1878 - 1885

This portrait of a young man was made by Eugene Guérin, a French artist born in 1845. It’s a photograph, likely taken in the late 19th century, a time when photography was becoming increasingly accessible to the middle classes. The image, with its formal composition and the sitter's respectable attire, speaks to the cultural values of the time. In France, the rise of the bourgeoisie created a demand for portraiture that reflected their aspirations for social status. Photography studios emerged as institutions catering to this new market, offering affordable ways to record and display one's identity. Understanding this image requires a look into the social and economic conditions that made it possible. By consulting archives, historical records, and studies of photographic practices, we can uncover the complex relationship between art, technology, and social change. Ultimately, our understanding of art is contingent on this social and institutional context.