Portret van een man met snor 1860 - 1900

This is a portrait of a moustachioed man, made using photographic techniques by C.D. Fredricks y Daries. The sepia tones create a sense of nostalgia, but it is important to remember that photographs like this were once cutting-edge technology. Unlike painting or sculpture, photography held the promise of mechanical reproduction. This portrait reflects the rise of a new kind of image making, tied to industrial processes and the burgeoning middle class. Consider the labor involved, not just of the photographer but also the workers who produced the materials: the paper, the chemicals, and the equipment. Images like these became powerful tools for shaping social identities, and the very act of posing for a photograph signified one's participation in modern life. By recognizing the convergence of technology, labor, and social aspiration in this photograph, we can better understand its significance beyond a mere likeness.