Portret van Ans van Slooten 1905

Stephanus Adrianus Schotel made this portrait of Ans van Slooten, using photography, a process that developed in the nineteenth century. Think about the making involved here: the grinding of lenses, the mixing of chemical baths, the arrangement of the studio, and the skilled work of the photographer, all contributing to the final image. The chemical process dictates the soft gradations of tone, the way light is reflected, and the overall delicacy of the image. It is a far cry from the bold strokes of paint on canvas. The rise of photography was deeply tied to wider social changes: with industrialization and the growth of cities, people sought new ways to document and represent themselves. Photography democratized portraiture. What once had been a privilege of the wealthy became a way to capture images of everyday life. Considering the materials and processes used, we gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and social significance of this artwork.