Portret van een onbekende man 1880 - 1920

This is a carte-de-visite, a calling card, made by Atelier Rembrandt in Amsterdam. The sitter is unknown to us, but the photograph offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the time. These small portraits became popular in the mid-19th century, a moment when photography democratized portraiture. No longer the sole preserve of the wealthy, portraiture became a popular token of exchange, a way to record and share likeness. The man's tailored suit and carefully knotted bow-tie speak to the sartorial codes of masculinity. His direct gaze suggests a desire for self-assertion, an engagement with the modern world. Yet, within the rigidity of formal portraiture, we see an individual seeking representation. This small photograph encapsulates the complex interplay between identity, representation, and the democratizing force of photographic technology. It is a reminder of the deeply personal and the broadly social that any portrait represents.