Portret van een zittende man 1850 - 1894

This is a photograph of a seated man by Matthijs Adolph Conen. Notice how the subject is portrayed in a formal suit, seated in what appears to be a stately chair, conveying a sense of dignity and self-assurance, a pose seen in portraits across centuries, echoing those of Roman senators or Renaissance dignitaries. This posture of composed authority, of a subject seated and in control, harkens back to ancient Egypt, where pharaohs were depicted seated on their thrones, symbols of power and divine right. This motif evolved through Greek and Roman art, resurfacing during the Renaissance to denote worldly authority. Consider the psychological implications; the act of sitting itself implies a certain power—a grounding, a rootedness. The continuous echo of such imagery speaks to a deep-seated human desire for stability and control, emotions as powerful as they are timeless. Over time, the meaning of the seated figure has subtly shifted, yet its core appeal to our subconscious remains constant.