Portret van Alfred Dieudonné c. 1872 - 1882

This is a photographic portrait of Alfred Dieudonné, created by Wilhelm Pacht. Photography in this era was a complex process involving multiple steps, from coating glass plates with light-sensitive emulsions to long exposure times. The sepia tone you see here wasn’t just a stylistic choice; it was a result of the chemicals used to develop the image, influencing the way light interacts with the print. This particular photograph, being included in a printed book, highlights the increasing accessibility and industrialization of image-making at the time. Consider the labor involved: from the photographer meticulously preparing each shot, to the printing presses churning out copies for mass consumption. It blurs the line between art, documentation, and commodity. The photograph's placement within the book also invites questions about authorship, circulation, and audience reception. Ultimately, this image invites us to consider the social and economic forces at play in its creation and distribution, and to appreciate the craft and skill required to produce it.