Gezicht op de Waag op de Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam c. 1860 - 1862

This photograph of the Waag on the Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam is an early example of the medium, dating back to the mid-19th century. While the photographer is unknown, we can appreciate their command of a relatively new technology. Photography in this period required a deep understanding of chemistry and optics. The process involved coating a surface with light-sensitive materials, exposing it to light, and then developing the image through a series of chemical baths. What's fascinating is how this method democratized image-making. Prior to photography, capturing a scene required the skills of a trained artist. But with photography, anyone could, in theory, record the world around them. This shift had profound implications for society, influencing everything from journalism to personal expression. The photograph's very existence speaks to the changing landscape of labor and production in the 19th century, and the Waag’s history as a weighing house and later as a guildhall for various trades, adds another layer of social and economic context to this captivating image.