Reproductie naar een foto van Willem Witsen c. 1860 - 1915

This reproduction after a photograph by Willem Witsen is made with gelatin silver print. It is the result of a series of industrial processes, and a far cry from individualized labor, and artisanal pride. Gelatin silver prints use the light sensitivity of silver halides, suspended in a gelatin emulsion coated on a substrate, usually paper. The gelatin acts as a binder, holding the silver halide crystals in place, and it is what allows for the creation of a clear and detailed photographic image. The process involves several stages: coating paper with the gelatin silver emulsion, exposure to light through a negative, chemical development to reveal the image, and fixing to make it permanent. It’s a sophisticated technology, which, by the time this picture was made, had become fully industrialized. This print isn't just an image; it's a social document, reflecting the impact of technology on art and visual culture.