Portret van Léon Gambetta before 1876

Etienne Carjat created this photographic print of Léon Gambetta using a process called albumen silver printing, a popular method in the 19th century. The process involved coating paper with albumen, found in egg whites, to create a glossy surface for the silver-based photographic chemicals to adhere to. The tonal range and sharpness we see here are a direct result of this meticulous layering. The success of Carjat's photograph depended on the skilled labor involved in preparing the printing surface, sensitizing it to light, developing the image, and then carefully washing and toning the final print. This wasn't just about pointing a camera; it was a hands-on craft. Photography, in its early days, was as much about chemistry and craft as it was about art, challenging the traditional hierarchy of art and labor. The resulting print, mounted and presented as a portrait, speaks to the growing accessibility and commercialization of image-making during this period. By emphasizing the material and processes behind this portrait, we recognize the artistry inherent in early photography.