Gezicht op de Chertsey Bridge over de Theems before 1867

This is a photograph of Chertsey Bridge over the Thames, made by Francis Frith in the mid-19th century. Frith was a pioneering photographer, known for his large-scale commercial studio, and for documenting landscapes across the British Empire. What is interesting about this image is its materiality. It is an albumen print, which involves coating paper with egg whites to create a glossy surface, and then using a negative to expose the image in sunlight. The sepia tones and soft focus are characteristic of this process, as is the incredible level of detail. Frith was part of the Victorian era's fascination with both technological advancement, and the aesthetic of Romanticism. His photographs, like this one, were made possible by the industrial production of chemicals and photographic equipment, yet they captured idyllic scenes of the natural world. This tension between industry and nature, commerce and beauty, is crucial to understanding the social significance of Frith’s work. It reminds us that even the most seemingly straightforward images are deeply embedded in their historical context.