Portret van een man met snor 1880 - 1920

Hermann Ilberg made this small photographic portrait of a moustached man. The image itself is a fascinating record of social conventions. The subject's suit and bow tie speaks to the formal expectations of portraiture at the time. Photography in its early days was often seen as a tool for documentation and memorialization, but it also quickly became a way for individuals to assert their social status. The man’s moustache, neatly trimmed, was a common fashion statement. Given the lack of specific dating, researching fashion trends and photographic practices of the late 19th and early 20th centuries could provide clues. Delving into the history of photography studios and their clientele would further enrich our understanding. After all, art doesn’t exist in a vacuum, but is deeply embedded in the social and institutional contexts of its time.