Portret van een onbekende man 1855 - 1885

This carte-de-visite portraying an unknown man was crafted by John George Kirby, a photographer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The subject’s attire offers a glimpse into the sartorial norms of the era. His neatly knotted tie, a symbol of order and social cohesion, is a motif echoed across centuries and cultures. From ancient Roman neck cloths to the elaborate cravats of the Renaissance, we see precursors of this modern accessory. The tie, in its various forms, reappears throughout history, each time subtly shifting in meaning. Consider how the simple act of knotting fabric around the neck has evolved from a practical necessity to a potent signifier of identity and belonging. This seemingly straightforward gesture carries layers of cultural memory and subconscious associations, engaging us on a deep, unspoken level. And just like that, a simple tie becomes a powerful symbol of the cyclical nature of fashion.