Studioportret van een zittende man met grote bakkebaarden c. 1863 - 1866

This is a studio portrait of a seated man with large sideburns, created by Wegner & Mottu. The portrait offers a glimpse into the visual culture and societal norms of its time. The man's attire and posture speak to the conventions of bourgeois masculinity, while the elaborate chair on which he sits suggests status and formality. His direct gaze might be interpreted as a claim to authority but is it defiance or is it expected? The emergence of photography as a means of documentation and self-representation intersects with broader narratives of identity and social class. These early photographic portraits allowed for a democratization of image-making, yet they simultaneously reinforced existing power structures and ideals of representation. The image asks us to consider the complex relationship between photography, identity, and social status in the 19th century.