Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1864 - 1883

This portrait of an unknown woman was made by Leonard Stollenwerk, using the albumen print process. This photographic technique, popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, creating a surface sensitive to light. The albumen printing method renders a sepia tone with a smooth, almost porcelain-like surface. The photograph is small, designed for portability and exchange. It reflects the rise of photography as a democratizing force, making portraiture accessible to a wider public. Yet, this accessibility came at a cost; the labor-intensive process of preparing the albumen paper and printing the images often involved long hours of work. Considering the context in which it was made, this photograph becomes more than just an image; it embodies the intersection of art, industry, and the everyday lives of people. Appreciating the material and the making of this photograph allows us to recognize the significance of photography as a creative practice.