Portret van een man met snor 1895 - 1925

Herman Deutmann made this photograph, "Portrait of a Man with a Moustache," sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It offers a glimpse into the conventions of bourgeois portraiture during that period. The man’s formal attire, neatly groomed hair, and meticulously styled moustache speak to the sitter's social standing and adherence to contemporary ideals of masculinity and respectability. Photographs like this were often commissioned as a display of social status and to project a particular image to the world. Understanding the social and institutional context of this portrait involves considering the rise of photography as a means of documentation and self-representation. Family albums, like the one this photo comes from, became important displays of social connection, and even aspiration. To fully appreciate this work, we might consider research resources such as photography journals, social histories of the Netherlands, and museum archives. By situating art within its social and institutional context, we gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.