Elise Häusermann, Hermine, Marie and Marie Antoine 1850s - 1860s

This photograph, titled "Elise Häusermann, Hermine, Marie and Marie Antoine," was captured by Franz Antoine. Its sepia tones arise from the wet collodion process, a laborious technique involving coating a glass plate with chemicals, exposing it in the camera while still wet, and then developing it immediately. The image, itself a feat of early photographic technology, freezes a moment of bourgeois formality. Consider the stiff poses, the elaborate bonnets and lace shawls. These garments, products of industrial textile mills and meticulous handwork, speak volumes about the sitters' social standing. The tonal range, delicate and subtle, emphasizes the textures of the fabrics. The making of the photograph, like the making of the clothing, reflects a particular moment in the history of labor, technology, and consumption. When we look at this image, we're not just seeing four individuals. We're seeing the material culture of their time, the complex interplay of social status, industrial production, and skilled handcraft. The photograph bridges the gap between art and social history.