Portret van een onbekende man met een hoed in de hand 1864 - 1896

This photograph, taken by Kasparus Karsen, portrays an unknown man with a hat in his hand. The man's gesture, his hand resting on the pedestal while holding his hat, is a fascinating echo of poses found in classical portraiture. Think of Roman senators with their hands outstretched, symbols of authority and oration. Here, however, the hat replaces the scroll, a softening of power, yet the subconscious pull of that historical language remains. The hat, once a symbol of status and belonging, now held loosely, suggests a world in transition. Does it signify deference, or a casualness that hints at the rise of a new bourgeoisie? Consider too, how the man presents himself, a visual echo that is also a question. What is he telling us about himself, and about the changing world around him?