Portret van Gerda Grönberg-Rove 1880 - 1890

This portrait of Gerda Grönberg-Rove was made using photographic techniques, probably in the late 19th or early 20th century by Waldemar Dahllöf. Photography, like printmaking, is a fascinating medium because it is so closely linked to industrialization and mass production. At the time this photograph was made, it would have been a relatively novel, and still somewhat precious, medium for capturing someone’s likeness. The tonal range and level of detail in the image are very fine, conveying the textures of the sitter's clothing, hairstyle, and the ornate chair on which she leans. This would have been enabled by the increasingly refined chemistry of photography at the time. The very concept of catching a perfect likeness was considered impossible before the advent of photography. The aura of exclusivity associated with portraits was eroded as photography became more accessible. This photograph serves as a reminder that understanding the materials and methods used to create art is essential to understanding its cultural and social meaning.