Portret van een vrouw c. 1863 - 1864

This is a portrait of a woman, made by F.(I) Kaijser using photographic techniques. At first glance, it may seem straightforward, but consider the material process involved in creating such a photograph. It is not only the camera and photographic paper, but the chemical development process that gives the image its sepia tone. The subject's clothes also speak volumes. The fabric of her dress, the stitching and embroidery; it's all work. A lot of work. Her clothes, and the set-dressing around her, are all products of labor. Someone had to make those textiles, someone had to stitch them, and someone had to set up the scene. In its time, photography democratized portraiture. But even a relatively accessible image like this is steeped in social relations, and the labor that gave it form. By considering the means of its production, we can appreciate the full depth of its cultural significance.