Portret van Victor Hartman 1860 - 1875

This is a portrait of Victor Hartman by Math. Hansen, an early photograph made through chemical processes that were cutting-edge for their time. It’s easy to forget that even photography is a form of making, relying on skilled technicians who understood the delicate alchemy of light-sensitive materials. Here, the photographic process captures a stiff, formal pose, indicative of the era's photographic conventions. The tones are muted, a result of the early photographic emulsions, lending the image a timeless quality. In its day, a portrait like this would have been a luxury, a way for individuals to participate in the burgeoning visual culture. It speaks to the democratizing potential of photography, making portraiture accessible to a wider segment of society, not just the wealthy elite who could afford painted portraits. This photograph challenges our notions of both art and craft, reminding us that all images are made, not simply taken, and carry with them the social and economic conditions of their production.