Portret van een vrouw in avondjurk 1850 - 1881

This photograph, made by Charles Reutlinger, captures a woman in an evening gown, likely in the mid-19th century. The image is an albumen print, a process that involves coating paper with egg white to create a smooth surface for the photographic emulsion. This technique was widely used at the time for its ability to produce sharp, detailed images. The woman’s dress is the main focus, its voluminous skirt suggesting the elaborate constructions of the era. This would have been made possible by industrial production and the availability of fabrics and sewing technologies. Consider the labor involved: from textile mills churning out yards of fabric to the skilled hands of dressmakers who cut, sewed, and embellished the garment. The photograph itself, while seemingly simple, represents the convergence of technological innovation and skilled labor. Looking at this image, it’s easy to overlook the material processes involved. Yet, the photograph, and the dress it depicts, are powerful reminders of the intersection of art, craft, industry, and society.