Portret van een vrouw, staand bij een stoel c. 1865 - 1870

This portrait was produced by Henri Blanckart, using photographic methods developed in the 19th century. Photography, like other new technologies of the industrial age, was a means of democratizing representation. Consider the sitter's dress; the cut, construction, and materials all speak to the labor involved in its making. Although partially obscured by shadow, the fabric suggests the complexities of textile production and the extensive global trade networks involved in the fashion industry. This portrait captures a moment in time, but also hints at the broader social and economic forces at play. Paying attention to such material details allows us to move beyond traditional art history, towards a richer understanding of visual culture.