Portret van een jonge vrouw 1873 - 1895

Max Büttinghausen created this portrait of a young woman, using photography, likely in the late 19th century. Photography, by this time, was transitioning from a laborious, alchemical process to something more standardized. The rise of factory-made photographic plates meant that studios could churn out images quickly. This one, with its oval vignette and standardized pose, speaks to the industrialization of image-making, a kind of proto-mass production. Yet, the image's material qualities are also important. The sepia tone comes from the chemical process, lending a warmth and nostalgia that persists even today. The small size suggests intimacy, designed to be held and cherished. Looking at the image, consider the labor involved, not just of the photographer but also the factory workers producing the materials. In its own way, photography democratized portraiture, but it also became another cog in the machine of capitalism.