Portret van Frédérick Lemaître before 1876

This is a photograph of Frédérick Lemaître by Etienne Carjat. Consider that to produce this image, the photographer would have needed to be a master of chemistry, manipulating light-sensitive materials to capture the likeness of the sitter, and preserve it on paper. Look at how the light falls across Lemaître’s face, throwing his brow into shadow, and emphasizing the set of his mouth. Notice the textures, too: the sheen of his coat, the soft fabric of his tie. It’s easy to forget that photography was once a slow, laborious process, requiring patience and skill. In a world saturated with digital images, it’s refreshing to be reminded of the craft involved in creating even a simple portrait. This image asks us to consider the labor and skill involved in producing photographic portraits, elevating it to an art form.