Portret van twee onbekende vrouwen en een onbekend meisje 1880 - 1893

This is a photograph by Bernardus Petrus Rabels of Amsterdam, picturing two unknown women and a girl. Photographs like this were made using a wet collodion process. This involved coating a glass plate with chemicals, exposing it in the camera while still wet, and then developing it immediately. It was labor intensive, demanding skill and precision. The results were then printed onto paper. Photographs in the 19th century were becoming increasingly popular due to their accessibility, however were still a luxury. This photograph provides insight into the clothing and class of the women. The dark dresses and simple style suggest a level of social mobility, able to afford clothing and a portrait. Thinking about this image through the lens of craft reminds us that photography, like any other art form, is deeply connected to the materials, processes, and social contexts of its making.