Portret van een onbekende man met bril 1861 - 1864

This is a photograph of an unknown man with glasses, made by Guillaume van Rymenant, likely in the mid-19th century. The photographic process itself is central to understanding this work. Photography in this era was a complex blend of science and craft. This image, likely a salt print or albumen print, involved coating paper with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it to light through a negative, and then carefully developing and fixing the image. The result is a unique object, its sepia tones and subtle imperfections a direct consequence of the materials and methods used. Photography democratized portraiture, and made images like this widely accessible. We might easily overlook the labor involved. But the photographer would have needed an elaborate darkroom, extensive knowledge of chemistry, and the patience to produce such a work. Considering the materiality and making of this photograph reminds us of the skill involved, challenging any strict division between art and craft.