Untitled 19th-20th century

This photograph shows a woman with an umbrella, and it was likely made using the albumen print process. This technique, popular in the late 19th century, involved coating paper with egg white and then silver nitrate, creating a surface sensitive to light. Notice the sepia tones, the result of the chemical development. What's interesting here is the contrast between the relatively new technology of photography and the traditional subject matter. The woman’s elaborate kimono and parasol speak to a rich cultural history of textile production and design. Consider, too, the labor involved, not just in making the photograph, but in the weaving, dyeing, and construction of the clothing. This image captures a moment of cultural exchange and representation, raising questions about who is behind the camera and what stories are being told through material objects. By paying attention to the materials and making, we can understand photographs like these as complex cultural artifacts.