Kruidenierswinkels met klanten, vermoedelijk in Tunis 1860 - 1900

J. André Garrigues captured this image of a grocer's shop, likely in Tunis, using photographic processes that were both cutting-edge and laborious at the time. Consider the material reality of early photography: glass plate negatives, chemical baths, and long exposure times, all requiring a mastery of craft. The sepia tones you see were not merely aesthetic choices; they were a direct result of the chemical reactions involved in developing the image. Note the textures and tones, and the way that light falls across the faces of the shoppers and goods hanging from the shop’s ceiling. This photograph documents a specific moment in time, capturing the daily life and commerce of Tunis. Yet, it’s also a testament to the photographer's skill in manipulating materials and processes to create a lasting work of art. By valuing the materiality and the making of this photograph, we recognize that the act of photography itself is a craft, deeply interwoven with social and cultural contexts.