Portret van Janny Macnab Possibly 1871 - 1878

Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Allen made this portrait of Janny Macnab using photography, a relatively new medium in their time. Photography, unlike painting or sculpture, relied heavily on industrial processes. From the manufacture of the photographic plates, coated with light-sensitive emulsions, to the printing papers, advancements in chemistry and manufacturing were essential. Consider the labor involved, not just of the photographers, but of factory workers producing these materials. The image itself is a product of light and time. The exposure, likely carefully calculated, captures Janny in a formal pose, her dress suggesting a certain social status. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of society, yet it also reinforced social hierarchies. Looking at this image, we’re reminded that every photograph is not just a representation, but also a product of complex social and economic forces.