Portret van een onbekende peuter c. 1880 - 1884

This small photograph, made by Wegner & Mottu, presents an unknown toddler. The photographic process, particularly popular in the 19th century, involved a complex chemical treatment of light-sensitive materials to capture an image. Consider the material reality of this object. Unlike a painting or sculpture made by hand, the photograph relies on a mechanized process, repeatable and reproducible. This inherent quality democratized image-making, making portraits accessible to a wider segment of society. The photograph’s size and format further underscore its social significance. Intended for an album, this portrait was meant for personal consumption, a keepsake connecting family members across time and distance. It reflects the growth of consumer culture, where photography played a crucial role in shaping personal and collective identities. Thinking about the materials and processes involved in creating this photograph allows us to appreciate its cultural value, and the amount of labor involved in the photographic process.