Portret van een zittende vrouw met een muts in een geruite jurk c. 1855 - 1870

This small portrait, made with photographic processes by F.D. van Rosmalen & Co, captures a seated woman wearing a bonnet and checkered dress. Photography in this era was not just about capturing an image; it was a complex interplay of chemistry and light. The image has a sepia tone, which influences the appearance of the sitter, and it was a direct result of the chemical processes used to develop the image. Each photograph, a testament to the convergence of science, labor, and aesthetics. The photographer likely used a large format camera and glass plate negatives, a labor-intensive process requiring skill and precision. The subject’s dress, with its pattern and texture, speaks to broader social issues of labor and consumption, as does the very act of commissioning the photograph. The rise of photography coincided with the industrial revolution, offering new ways to document and consume images, making portraiture accessible to a wider audience. The image’s material qualities, combined with the techniques and traditions of early photography, challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the social context in which it was made.