Portret van een jongen met pet in de hand, staand in een decor 1891 - 1912

Friedrich Carel Hisgen made this portrait of a boy with a cap in his hand with a photographic process in the late nineteenth century, likely in the Netherlands. In this period, photography studios boomed as photography became increasingly accessible to the middle classes. Looking closely, you can see this is no ordinary snapshot. The boy is carefully posed in a studio setting with props like a faux rock and rustic fence. The lighting is meticulously arranged to highlight his features and clothing. This wasn't just about capturing an image; it was about crafting a representation of social standing. His upright posture and relatively formal attire, including a cap, suggest a family keen to present a respectable image. The very act of commissioning such a portrait speaks volumes about aspirations and the desire to participate in a culture of display enabled by new technologies of image production. Delving into the archives of photography studios and family albums from this era can reveal fascinating insights into the social codes and cultural values that shaped these carefully constructed portraits.