Portret van een staande jongen 1880

This is a photograph of a young boy made by Jean Leplat, sometime between the mid-19th and early 20th century. The image is small, only a few inches high, and would have been made using a photographic process such as albumen or gelatin silver printing. These methods, which involved coating paper with light-sensitive chemicals, were part of a rapidly expanding visual culture at the time. Photography democratized portraiture, previously the domain of the wealthy. The boy’s formal attire – buttoned jacket and boots – speaks to the rising middle class and their aspirations. The drape and decorative table imply a studio setting, where the trappings of wealth could be staged. The photograph, then, is not just a simple image, but a carefully constructed representation of social identity and the evolving means of its production. Looking at the work, it is easy to forget the chemical and labor-intensive processes of early photography. Understanding these materials and processes provides insight into the social context of the time and challenges traditional notions of art.