Portret van een onbekende man 1886 - 1900

Istvan Goszleth made this albumen print, titled 'Portret van een onbekende man', a portrait of an unknown man, in Budapest. Photography in the 19th century became a powerful tool for constructing identity, and class was certainly a factor. Here, the sitter’s suit, his carefully groomed mustache, and tie, all speak to a certain level of bourgeois respectability. The portrait conveys a sense of formality and reserve, typical of the era's photographic conventions, yet we’re left to wonder about the countless untold stories of those whose names have faded from the historical record. It serves as a poignant reminder of the individuals who lived, worked, and dreamed within the complex tapestry of the past, inviting us to reflect on the myriad ways in which identity is shaped, preserved, and sometimes, tragically lost to time.