Portret van een onbekende oude man met jachtgeweer 1864 - 1911

Frans Lauwers made this print of an unknown old man with a hunting rifle sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This image reflects the cultural values and social structures of its time. In many European societies, hunting was historically associated with the aristocracy and land ownership, serving as both a sport and a symbol of power. Lauwers, working in Belgium, may have been commenting on the changing social dynamics of the time, with newly wealthy bourgeoisie appropriating aristocratic pastimes like hunting. The man's advanced age also suggests a reflection on the passage of time and the changing social roles within a community. It is important to remember that art like this is deeply embedded in cultural and historical contexts. To understand Lauwers' work more fully, we need to consider the social and economic conditions of Belgium at the turn of the century. By exploring archival sources and social histories, we can better appreciate the complex layers of meaning within this portrait and its commentary on the transformation of social norms.