Portret van een onbekende staande man met hoge hoed in hand 1880 - 1890

Captured by Beauchy-Rodriguez, this photograph features an unknown man holding a high hat, a potent symbol of the rising bourgeoisie. Observe how this hat serves not merely as a piece of attire, but as a marker of social aspiration and mobility, reflecting the era's shifting class structures. The hat, reminiscent of those worn by distinguished figures, echoes across centuries, finding resonance even in the conical hats of medieval financiers. One could compare this image to the gentleman in Manet's paintings, always with his hat. The hat is an object that has carried different meanings over time, representing both the aspirations and anxieties of its wearers. It is a token of the evolving human psyche, and the constant negotiation between identity, aspiration, and societal norms. This image captures something beyond the man, it captures the aspirations of an entire era.