Portret van een vrouw 1874 - 1884

This portrait of a woman was made with albumen print by P. Vlaanderen & C. van der Aa. What is compelling about this image is the way in which the modern technology of photography meets older traditions of portraiture. The thinness of the print and the way it is mounted – almost like a business card – remind us that this was a relatively new medium at the time. Think of all the physical effort that went into staging the shot. The subject’s elaborate hairstyle, velvet ribbon, and delicate jewelry speaks to a certain level of material wealth. Posing for this picture was perhaps only accessible to a few at this time. The materiality of the photograph influences its appearance, as the nature of the printing process defines its sepia tones and soft gradations. By considering the materials and the making of this artwork, we can appreciate the cultural and social values that lie within it, questioning our assumptions about art, craft, and design.