Portret van een onbekende vrouw c. 1880 - 1890

This is a portrait of an unknown woman, made by Photographie Française in Amsterdam. It's a photograph, a technology that democratized image-making, and a far cry from the laborious process of hand-painted portraiture. The image is small, and sepia-toned, suggesting its age and the chemical processes used to create it. The tonal range is subtle, relying on the careful manipulation of light-sensitive materials. It's a product of both the photographer's skill and the industrial production of photographic materials. Consider the social context. Photography in this era became increasingly accessible to the middle classes, who could now commission portraits for personal and family use. This small photograph speaks to the changing landscape of image-making, where technology and commerce intersect to shape our understanding of identity and representation. It demonstrates the shift in the way images were made and consumed, and a step away from traditional artistic practices.