Portret van een jonge man in kostuum c. 1865 - 1890

Johannes Wilhelmus Franciscus Offenberg created this carte-de-visite portrait, likely in the mid- to late-19th century. The sepia tones lend a certain nostalgia, yet the image's composition is what truly captures our attention. The oval frame within the rectangular card isolates the figure, emphasizing the theatrical costume. Notice how the sitter's pose, with one hand casually placed on his hip and legs elegantly crossed, creates a dynamic interplay of lines and angles. The garment itself, replete with puffed sleeves and decorative elements, disrupts any sense of classical proportion. What are we to make of this carefully constructed image? Perhaps it challenges the rigid conventions of portraiture at the time. The costume, coupled with the subject's self-assured gaze, hints at performance and the fluidity of identity. It becomes clear that this is not just a portrait, but a statement—a playful engagement with representation.