Portret van een onbekende man before 1896

This photographic portrait of an unknown man was made by Jules Baillou in Tours, France, during the late 19th century. The image is presented in the carte-de-visite format, a popular and affordable style of photography at the time. The photographic process involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it to the subject, and then developing the image. This was then printed onto paper. The resulting sepia tone gives the portrait a warm, nostalgic quality, and the oval shape, combined with the subjects formal attire, provides a glimpse into the social conventions of the era. The mass production of these types of images allowed for wider circulation and consumption, democratizing portraiture in a way that had never been seen before. Considering the labor and skill involved in each step, from the preparation of materials to the final print, this portrait encapsulates a moment in time when photography was transforming the way people saw themselves and the world around them. It is a beautiful example of the intersection of art, craft, and industry.