Gezicht op de Coolvest te Rotterdam met in het midden windmolen De Hoop c. 1860 - 1900

This albumen print showing the Coolvest in Rotterdam, with the windmill De Hoop at its center, was made by Andries Jager in the late nineteenth century. The albumen process, invented in 1850, involved coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, creating a surface that was both light-sensitive and capable of capturing fine detail. This early form of photography required considerable skill, from preparing the emulsion to carefully controlling exposure times in the darkroom. The print's sepia tones and soft focus give a romantic feel to the industrial scene. But this was also a moment of huge change, with artisanal production giving way to factories. Though the windmill is prominently featured, it’s clear that the old ways of working are being overtaken. The albumen print itself, with its blend of chemistry and craft, occupies a fascinating place in this transition. It represents an evolution in both art and industry.