A very strong self portrait of Jean Théodore Servais. The handsome young photographer wears an apron over his white shirt and dark tie. The portrait shows a confident man in a pose rather unusual for the 19th century. Titled and dated in pencil in an unknown hand: "M. Servais photographe", 24 Avril 1868.

Started in 1864 as a partnership between brothers Jean (-Théodore Mathieu) and Joseph Arnold, sons of baker Mathieu Servais. After Joseph Arnold's death in 1866, Jean Servais continued alone. The silver medal the Servais Frères received at the Exhibition of Industrial Arts in Liège (1864) is still featured on the back of this CDV.

The studio address was 5, Rue de l'Agneau à Liège in Belgium.

A rare self portrait in an unusual pose for 1868.

CDV ca. 10,5 x 6,3 cm