Portret van Alexander Buys 1884 - 1896

Friedrich Julius von Kolkow created this portrait of Alexander Buys, but the exact date of its creation remains unknown. Von Kolkow, who lived through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, operated in a time when photography was increasingly accessible, yet portraiture retained an air of formality and social significance. This image captures the essence of bourgeois identity, with Buys's neatly groomed beard, precisely styled mustache, and formal attire emblematic of his status. In this era, such portraits served not only as personal mementos but also as social currency, signaling respectability and adherence to societal norms. The photograph is a window into the construction of masculinity and class identity of the period. Reflecting on this portrait, one can consider how the act of posing and the control over one's image served as a means of self-definition and presentation within a rapidly changing social landscape.