Portret van een jonge man in kostuum, aangeduid als S.J. Enthoven 1860 - 1905

Jan Goedeljee captured this portrait of a young man, possibly S.J. Enthoven, in costume using photography, a relatively new medium in the 19th century. Photography in this era was often used to document and reinforce social identities. This portrait stages the sitter within a historical narrative, evoking a sense of romanticism and perhaps nobility through the costume. There is a performative aspect to the photograph, the sitter isn't necessarily embodying who they are but who they want to be. It's interesting to consider how identity is constructed through clothing and how photography plays a role in capturing and disseminating these constructed images. This image asks us to think about the ways individuals have historically used portraiture to project an idealized version of themselves. The photograph offers a glimpse into the social and cultural values of the time, where dressing up and playing a role was a means of expressing one's aspirations and social position.