Portret van een meisje 1860 - 1900

This portrait of a girl by Möhlen & Knirim is a small photographic print, part of an album page. Photography in this era was a chemical process, one of light-sensitive emulsions, darkroom magic, and precise timing. The image is soft, almost dreamlike, which speaks to the technical limitations of early photography. The studio, named at the bottom, shows a democratisation of portraiture through its availability to the masses. Photography allowed more people to access ‘art’ than ever before. But consider the labour involved: the photographer, the darkroom assistants, and even the sitter, who had to remain still for extended periods. This wasn't just about capturing a likeness, but a whole system of production, distribution, and consumption. In the end, this small photograph is more than just an image; it's a record of a moment in time, a testament to the rise of industrial image-making, and a reflection of a changing social landscape.