Nederlands paviljoen op de International Exhibition te Philadelphia, 1876 1876

This albumen silver print shows the Dutch pavilion at the International Exhibition in Philadelphia, 1876, and was made by the Centennial Photographic Company. Photography was already a well-established medium by this time, requiring a great deal of skill. The albumen process itself involved coating paper with egg white to create a glossy surface on which the photographic emulsion could adhere, a technique that speaks to the intersection of science and craft. The high resolution and sharp details of the image are a testament to the photographer’s mastery, as is the dramatic composition. The photograph acts as a document of the industrial progress and colonial reach celebrated at the Centennial Exhibition. Photography played a crucial role in shaping perceptions and promoting the idea of progress, both in the arts and manufacturing. Understanding the material and processes behind the artwork is fundamental to appreciating its significance as a cultural artifact that straddles art, craft, and social history.