Groepsportret van vier kinderen van de familie Vermeulen op het balkon c. 1901s

This photographic portrait captures four children of the Vermeulen family on their balcony. The sepia-toned print gives a sense of the early days of photography, where technical processes significantly impacted aesthetics. Consider the labor involved; from preparing the photographic plates, to meticulously timing the exposure and developing the print in a darkroom. The result isn’t just an image, but a physical artifact imbued with the touch of the photographer's hand. Photography, though a relatively new medium at the time, democratized portraiture. Painting was no longer the only way to capture one's likeness. While the technology was still complex, photographers were more accessible than traditional portrait artists. This shift opened new avenues for families like the Vermeulens to participate in visual culture. Ultimately, this photograph is a testament to how technology shapes not only what we see but how we see ourselves. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between art and craft, elevating the act of making as an integral part of the artwork's meaning.