Portret van een meisje 1866 - 1896

This portrait of a girl was created by Louis Robert Werner, likely in the late 19th century, using photography. The albumen print, a process involving paper coated with egg white, gives the photograph its distinctive sepia tone and smooth surface. This process was popular at the time for its ability to produce detailed and stable images. The meticulous work involved in preparing the paper and developing the print highlights the labor-intensive nature of early photography. Each print required careful handling and expertise, placing it within a tradition of skilled craft rather than mass production. The photograph, framed with gilded trim, speaks to the sitter’s social class, while the delicate process reflects the burgeoning industry of portraiture catering to a desire for personal mementos. Considering the materials, making, and social context encourages us to appreciate the photograph not just as a representation, but as a cultural artifact embedded with layers of meaning about labor, class, and the evolving landscape of visual culture.