Sime Herrmann Possibly 1894 - 1896

Alfred Stieglitz captured this portrait of Sime Herrmann using gelatin silver. The gaze, directed just off-center, invites contemplation. Yet it is the cravat, knotted with studied nonchalance, that commands our attention. The cravat, a precursor to the modern tie, was once a symbol of elegance and status, originating from Croatian mercenaries. However, it evolved, didn't it? Consider the flamboyant ruffs of the Renaissance, symbols of opulence, or even the simple knotted cloths worn by ancient orators as symbols of authority. Here, the cravat, adorned with polka dots, introduces a playful subversion. It is no longer merely about status, but about individuality. Could this be a subtle rebellion against the rigid societal norms? In the dance of cultural memory, this simple piece of cloth becomes a stage for the performance of self, a signifier that mutates and adapts through the ages, always carrying echoes of its past. It is a symbol that engages us on a deep, subconscious level.