Groepsportret van de families Asser en Oppenheim in een tuin 1856

Eduard Isaac Asser created this group portrait of the Asser and Oppenheim families using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. Photography in this era was a labour-intensive process, far removed from our digital snapshots. Each image required careful preparation of glass plates, chemical baths, and precise timing. The final print, like this one, was a unique object, a testament to the photographer's skill and the sitter's patience. Notice the stillness of the figures. Long exposure times meant subjects had to remain motionless, resulting in a formal, almost staged quality. The image’s monochrome palette emphasizes the textures of clothing and the details of the garden setting, drawing attention to the material culture of the time. By understanding the intricate process behind this photograph, we gain a deeper appreciation for its value as a crafted object. It invites us to consider the labour, skill, and social context embedded within the image, and also challenges our contemporary understanding of photography as a quick and disposable medium.