Portret van een onbekende man met snor 1857 - 1883

This is an albumen print of an unknown man with a mustache, made by Ludwig Angerer. Angerer, who lived and worked in Vienna, Austria, was one of the photographers who captured the rise of the middle class and the changing face of European society in the 19th century. Reflecting the era’s rigid class structure, the man’s formal attire and carefully groomed facial hair signify his status and adherence to social norms. However, the unknown sitter also appears to be pushing against the traditional, formal conventions of portraiture. The chair and adjacent architectural element seem to be an attempt to imitate wealth. The image offers a glimpse into the complex interplay between identity, representation, and social mobility during a time of immense change. It suggests not just who he was, but perhaps who he aspired to be.