Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1881 - 1883

This portrait of an unknown woman was created by Joh. Oosterbaan & Co., using the albumen print process. The image is printed on a thin paper coated with a layer of egg white, which gives it a subtle sheen. The albumen print, popular in the 19th century, was prized for its fine detail and tonal range, here rendered in warm sepia tones. This photographic method was revolutionary at the time, but required skill and precision. Each print demanded careful preparation and handling of chemicals. The studio of Joh. Oosterbaan & Co. would have employed skilled artisans to produce these portraits on a commercial scale. The repetitive nature of the work reflects the shift towards industrialisation, with photography studios emerging as small-scale factories of image-making. This intertwining of artistic expression and the commercial production of images challenges the traditional divide between fine art and craft, reminding us of the skilled labor involved in creating even the most seemingly simple image.