Portret van een monnik c. 1861 - 1890

Albert Greiner, based in Amsterdam, made this photographic print. It's a portrait of a monk, likely produced through a chemical process involving light-sensitive materials, a camera, and darkroom techniques. Photography in the 19th century was a transformative technology, and it changed modes of production and social practices. The monk's attire, seemingly simple, speaks to the social context of religious orders. The folds and drape of the robe, the texture of the fabric, all these details become visible thanks to the photograph’s production process. The image allows for wider distribution, reaching audiences far beyond the monastery walls. This portrait democratizes access to religious imagery, creating something that invites questions about the intersection of faith, representation, and technology. It asks us to consider how photography itself reshaped the way we perceive individuals and their place within a community.