Portret van Willem (Wiwill), prins van Oranje-Nassau 1862

This is an albumen print of Willem, Prince of Orange-Nassau, made by Disderi & Co. The albumen print process involved coating paper with albumen, found in egg whites, and then sensitizing it with silver nitrate. The prepared paper was then placed in contact with a negative and exposed to sunlight, creating a positive image. The resulting print has a characteristic sepia tone and a smooth, glossy surface. This photographic process was at the forefront of technology and image-making in the 19th century. Disdéri & Co. was a well-known photography studio, that streamlined and commercialized photographic production. This democratization of portraiture reflects broader social shifts towards mass production and consumption. Examining this photograph through the lens of its making allows us to appreciate the skilled work of the studio, and ties it to the era’s technological advancements. This moves the photograph beyond being just an image of a prince and highlights its significance as a cultural artifact shaped by industrialization.