Portret van Karl Eberhard Herwarth von Bittenfeld in uniform

This photograph portrays Karl Eberhard Herwarth von Bittenfeld in uniform, and was likely made in the mid-19th century using the technique of albumen print. The albumen process, invented in 1850, involves coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, creating a surface sensitive to light. The negative is then placed on the paper and exposed to sunlight, producing a detailed, sepia-toned image. The final print is fixed and washed, resulting in a stable photograph. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a broader public. Yet, the process still required specialized knowledge and equipment. The photographer acted as a skilled artisan, controlling the chemical processes and artistic composition. This image of a military officer is tied to a rising middle class able to afford a photographic portrait, and a mode of production which made the new medium more accessible.