Untitled (group portrait of women) c. 1945

This gelatin silver print by Robert Burian captures a group portrait of women with incredible detail. Gelatin silver prints are made by coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides suspended in gelatin. This photographic process has a rich history tied to mass production and accessibility. Unlike earlier, more laborious photographic methods, gelatin silver prints allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction, democratizing image-making and consumption. The glossy surface and sharp resolution of the print speak to the medium's capacity for capturing and disseminating information, turning people into reproducible images. Consider the labor involved in creating this image. From the photographer capturing the scene to the darkroom technicians developing the print, each step reflects a complex web of social and economic relations. By paying attention to the materiality and production of the photograph, we gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance, blurring the lines between artistic expression and commercial enterprise.