Drie Japanse vrouwen maken muziek c. 1890 - 1895

Kazumasa Ogawa took this photograph of three Japanese women making music in the late 19th or early 20th century, using a collotype process. Collotype is an early photographic printing method using glass plates coated with light-sensitive gelatin. After exposure to a negative, the gelatin hardens in proportion to the light received, creating a printing surface that can hold varying amounts of ink. This allows for continuous tones and fine details to be rendered in the final print. In Ogawa's image, the collotype method captures the texture of the women's silk kimonos and the subtle gradations of light across their faces. The choice of this printing technique elevates the photograph beyond a mere document, highlighting Ogawa's skilled craftsmanship and the artistry involved in early photographic reproduction. The result is a captivating image that transcends simple representation. It invites us to consider the cultural context and the labor involved in both the creation of the music and the making of the photograph itself.