Portret van Oma Boelen met Henk en Eva c. 1911 - 1914

This photograph, titled Portret van Oma Boelen met Henk en Eva, captures a moment in time with the new technology of photography. Although the photographer is unknown, the image speaks volumes about the social context of its creation. Photographs such as these were made using chemical processes to fix an image onto paper. While not unique to the fine arts, the development of photography certainly disrupted traditional painting practices. It democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of society. The rise of photography studios created new forms of labor and business. Consider the textures and details captured in this photograph - the soft fabric of the children's clothing, the patterned wallpaper in the background, the ornate chair with the decorative carvings. These were all physical markers of the time, captured through the medium of photography. By looking at this family portrait, we can understand photography's influence on art, culture, and the representation of identity, blurring the lines between everyday life, fine art, and commercial industry.