Portret van een onbekende man 1895 - 1925

This is a portrait of an unknown man by Anton Cornelis Thomann, likely created at the turn of the century in the Netherlands. The photographic print, though small, offers a glimpse into the social conventions of the time. Consider the subject's attire: a dark suit, starched white collar, and tie. These are visual cues indicating a certain level of social standing and adherence to bourgeois norms. Photography at this time was becoming increasingly accessible, yet a studio portrait remained a deliberate act, a performance of identity. Thomann, with his studio in Utrecht, catered to a clientele seeking to project a specific image of themselves. What does it mean to encounter this image today, devoid of identifying information? We are left to ponder the narratives we construct around anonymous figures, the power dynamics inherent in portraiture, and the role of photography in shaping social perceptions. Research into the history of photographic studios in Utrecht, combined with an analysis of fashion trends of the period, could offer a richer understanding of this image and the society that produced it.