Portret van een jongen 1873 - 1891

Here is Johannes Baer's ‘Portret van een jongen’, an albumen print dating from sometime in the late 19th century. Baer worked during a time when photography was becoming more accessible, yet portraiture remained a formal affair, particularly for children. Consider the image of the boy; arms crossed, in a suit and striped shirt. His expression is one of seriousness, perhaps even a touch of defiance. What does it mean to capture a child this way? Is it an attempt to impose adulthood, or to immortalize a fleeting moment of self-possession? Photography during this era often reflected the values of the bourgeoisie, emphasizing order, control, and the performance of social roles. This portrait can be viewed as a study in how identity is constructed through visual representation. Baer presents the viewer with a vision of boyhood that feels both intimate and carefully staged.