Portret van een meisje staand bij een divan met boeken, aangeduid als Elise 1865 - 1900

This photograph, made by Wegner & Mottu, captures a young girl, possibly named Elise, standing beside a divan with books. The photographic process itself is key to understanding this portrait. In this era, photography was still a relatively novel medium, requiring specialized knowledge and equipment. The ambrotype or tintype, which were common at the time, involved coating a glass or metal plate with light-sensitive chemicals. The final image is a direct positive, meaning it's not produced from a negative. Consider the labor involved: the preparation of the chemicals, the precise timing of the exposure, and the development process, not to mention the work of posing the young girl and creating the appropriate setting. This was a far cry from the instant snapshots we take today. The materiality of the photograph, its sepia tones and the way the light catches the surface, all contribute to its aura. Looking at photography this way allows us to think about the economics and social status of the subject. This was a carefully staged production, revealing much about the sitter and the cultural values of the time.