Portret van een onbekende man, aangeduid als J. G. Spangenberg Possibly 1873 - 1875

Bernhard Hakelier created this small portrait of an unknown man, possibly J. G. Spangenberg, sometime between 1848 and 1910. During Hakelier’s lifetime, photography moved from a niche practice to a widely accessible medium, profoundly impacting how people saw themselves and others. This portrait, with its formal composition, reflects the socio-cultural values of its time. The man's identity, though uncertain, is presented with dignity and a degree of formality, typical of bourgeois portraiture. His attire and the carefully controlled lighting speak to the sitter’s desire to present a respectable image. Consider the gaze of the sitter. There is a directness that seems to ask us to consider what aspects of identity are being performed, and what are being concealed. The photograph offers a glimpse into a life, inviting speculation about the narrative contained within this preserved moment.