Portret van Maria Westberg 1870 - 1885

This is a photographic portrait of Maria Westberg, likely made sometime in the late 19th century by an anonymous photographer. It’s a modest object, made using relatively simple technology. Photography, even at this early stage, had a profound social impact. It democratized portraiture. Before, only the wealthy could afford to have their likeness captured by a painter. But with photography, suddenly it was possible for a much wider range of people to have their image recorded. Consider the labor involved; not just the photographer's skill, but also the industrial processes that created the photographic materials. And of course, the sitter, Maria Westberg, participating in the ritual of portraiture, carefully posed and dressed. This image encapsulates a moment in history when technology, labor, and social aspirations converged. It reminds us that even the simplest objects can tell complex stories about who we are and what we value.