Portrait Photograph of Rabindranath Tagore

What it is

This sepia-toned portrait photograph shows an elderly man with white hair and a long white beard, wearing a dark loose garment and looking directly at the camera. It is catalogued under Tagore's name by the Museum of Ethnography in Sweden, though the date and photographer are unknown.

Why it matters

Tagore's distinctive appearance in later life, with his long beard and flowing robes, became internationally recognisable and part of how he was perceived as a sage-like figure of letters and philosophy around the world.

Look closer

• What impression does the man's expression and pose create, and why might a photographer have chosen this style for a portrait?
• What details—like the worn edges and creases—tell you about the age and history of this physical print?
• What information is missing from this photograph that would help confirm exactly when and where it was taken?