Portret van (vermoedelijk) graaf De Beaulaincourt c. 1860 - 1865

This portrait of Count De Beaulaincourt, or perhaps someone else, was produced by Disdéri & Co. using the albumen print process, a popular method for creating photographs in the mid-19th century. The albumen process, which used egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper, resulted in a smooth, glossy surface and fine detail. This contributed to the photograph's clarity and tonal range. Disdéri, a pioneer in photography, industrialized the carte-de-visite format, making portraits like this accessible to a wider audience. This accessibility democratized portraiture, previously reserved for the wealthy who could afford painted portraits. The albumen print reflects broader social and economic shifts, capturing the rise of mass production and consumer culture. Here, a single image embodies a shift in artistic practice and social representation, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.