Portret van Karl With 1919 - 1925

This print, ‘Portrait of Karl With,’ was created by an anonymous photographer using gelatin silver print. This process, dominant for much of the 20th century, involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides. Consider the social context: Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible beyond the wealthy elite who historically commissioned painted portraits. This process required technical skill in the darkroom, controlling light and chemistry to produce the desired image. The gelatin silver print allowed for sharp details and a wide tonal range, as seen in the subtle gradations of light and shadow that define With’s features. The photograph's material—paper treated with silver—underlines the shift from unique, handcrafted images to reproducible, mechanically produced ones. Yet, each print retains a degree of uniqueness, a testament to the photographer's hand in the developing process. Appreciating the materials and methods used here encourages us to rethink the boundaries between fine art, craft, and industrial production.