Portret van een vrouw 1880 - 1920

This photographic portrait was created by J. & F. Perry. While we don't know its date of production, the photographic process itself speaks volumes. In the nineteenth century, photography democratized portraiture. Suddenly, it was possible for a much wider segment of the population to have their likeness recorded. Of course, it still required a visit to a professional studio and the investment in a print. You can tell from the sitter's elaborate dress that she was relatively well-off. Photography at this time was as much a craft as an industry. It demanded expertise in chemistry, optics, and darkroom technique. The material result is a small rectangular card, a token of identity, and a symbol of a society rapidly being transformed by technology. It blurs the lines between art, craft, and industrial production.