Portret van Adelaide Ristori c. 1857 - 1862

This photograph of Adelaide Ristori was made by André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri, who patented his version of the carte-de-visite in 1854. It's a simple albumen print on paper, but its impact on the art world was revolutionary. Disdéri's innovation wasn't just technical. It was also about democratizing portraiture. By using a multi-lens camera, he could produce multiple images on a single plate, drastically reducing the cost. Suddenly, owning a portrait wasn't just for the wealthy. Middle-class families could collect and exchange these affordable keepsakes. The carte-de-visite became a phenomenon, fueling a boom in photography studios and transforming the way people saw themselves and others. Disdéri’s system was an early instance of industrializing the art of portraiture, demonstrating that even the most seemingly rarefied art forms are shaped by social and economic forces. It's a reminder that the materials and modes of production behind an artwork are just as important as the image itself.