Portret van een onbekende man of jongen c. 1870 - 1891

This photograph, a portrait of an unknown man or boy, was captured by Lambertus Martinus Delboy. Notice the formal attire, especially the tie, an emblem of civility and order, yet also a constraint. The tie, a direct descendant of the knotted neckcloths worn by Croatian mercenaries, once served a purely functional purpose. Over time, it transformed into a symbol of status, evolving from utilitarian necessity to a marker of societal compliance. Think of the stiff ruffs of the Elizabethan era, each fold and pleat proclaiming one's place in the hierarchy. In the subject's gaze, there's a hint of melancholy. Is it the weight of expectations or a quiet rebellion against the very symbols that bind him? The image echoes across time. These symbols have a cyclical progression, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new meanings across the ages.