Wilhelmina van Zijll de Jong in een lange jas bij een huis 1932

This photograph captures Wilhelmina van Zijll de Jong in a long coat, and was likely taken by an anonymous photographer. This black and white photograph’s materiality speaks to the rise of accessible photography. The sitter is dressed in a full-length coat and fur stole, fashion items mass produced in factories. The textures, from the fur to the brickwork, would have been important considerations for the photographer, whose choices of light and composition could capture these at their best. Consider the economic realities of this era. The labor involved in producing the garment, the extraction of raw materials, and the assembly line processes, all contribute to the cultural significance of this image. Also, the labor of the person who captured the image, and printed it. Looking closely at materials, making, and context, helps us appreciate the photograph’s full meaning and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.