Portret van een onbekende man in uniform 1877 - 1897

This photographic print of an unknown man in uniform was made by Lodewijk Hendrikus Serré in the late 19th century. The photographic print, a technology of its time, represents a significant shift in image-making from handmade to mechanically produced. Serré likely engaged a range of techniques, tools, and skilled traditions, alongside that of craft and fine arts, tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Notice that in contrast to paintings, photographic prints could be produced quickly and inexpensively. As a result, it democratized portraiture. No longer did one have to be wealthy to have their likeness captured. Looking closely, you can see how it captured the sitter's likeness, but also provides insight into the social and economic context of the time. The material and making of this artwork highlights how the rise of industrial production affected creative practices. It challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, urging us to consider the broader cultural and economic implications of artistic production.