Portret van de schilder Pierre Jean Van der Ouderaa 1866

This is a portrait of the painter Pierre Jean Van der Ouderaa, made by the photography studio Stalins & Janssens. Although we don’t know the exact date, the photographic process itself speaks volumes. This is a salted paper print, an early photographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. To create this image, paper was coated with a silver nitrate solution, exposed to light through a negative, and then fixed. The final print has a soft, slightly textured surface, and a warm, sepia tone, made by the chemical reaction on the paper. The rise of photography was linked to both artistic and industrial practices. The development of photography coincided with a growing demand for portraiture, driven by the expanding middle class. Studios like Stalins & Janssens emerged to meet this demand, employing skilled technicians to operate cameras and process prints. Looking at this portrait, we can appreciate not only the artistry of the photographer, but also the social context in which it was made. The photograph, like a painting, involves materials, processes, and skilled labor.