Portret van een meisje in communiejurk, staand bij een sokkel met vaas 1869 - 1873

Bernardus Theodorus van Loo created this portrait of a girl in her communion dress using the photographic technique known as albumen print. The albumen process, popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white before exposing it to light through a negative. This print, likely part of a carte-de-visite, showcases the delicate tones achievable with this method. The girl's dress, veil, and even the classical vase behind her are rendered with subtle gradations. Consider the labor involved: preparing the albumen, carefully controlling the exposure and developing the print. Photography in this era was a complex blend of science and artistry, accessible mainly to professionals and those with the means to commission them. This image speaks to the rising middle class, eager to capture and preserve significant life moments through this relatively new medium. Looking at the photograph, we can move beyond the image itself, recognizing the social context of the girl's communion, the photographer's skill, and the material processes that made this enduring portrait possible.