Portret van (vermoedelijk) een acteur in kostuum c. 1885 - 1900

This is a photograph of an actor in costume, made by Adolphe Zimmermans. While seemingly straightforward, this small albumen print reveals interesting links between materiality, labor, and the theatre. Consider the materials involved: not just the photographic chemicals, but also the garments and props. These would have been carefully constructed, likely with a great deal of handwork – embroidery, tailoring, perhaps even the crafting of metal elements. They are all carefully lit. The actor’s pose is carefully chosen. And what for? Photographs such as this were a booming business, both to sell to the general public as collectables, and as calling cards for actors themselves. We might think of this image as a kind of advertisement, promoting not just the individual, but the whole culture of theatrical spectacle. Ultimately, by considering its making, we can see this photograph not just as a portrait, but as a little document of its time, and the labor involved in image-making.