Exterieur van het Stadhuis van Manchester 1877

This albumen print of the exterior of Manchester’s town hall was made by J. McLeod at an unknown date. Albumen, derived from egg whites, gives this print its characteristic sheen and depth. It was a cutting-edge material in the 19th century. Look closely at the level of detail in the stonework and architectural features; photography like this was used both as a record and a celebration of modern construction. The very act of documenting the building's architecture speaks to its importance as a symbol of civic pride and progress. However, the production of albumen prints involved significant labor, from the collection and preparation of eggs, to the complex chemical processes required for developing the image. This photograph, therefore, is more than just a picture; it is a material embodiment of both industrial advancement and the labor that underpinned it.