Portret van Lodewijk I, koning van Portugal, en zijn vrouw Maria Pia van Savoye 1855 - 1870

This is a portrait of King Luís I of Portugal and his wife, Maria Pia of Savoy, made by the Ghémar Frères, though the exact date is unknown. The photograph itself is a testament to the rise of industrial chemistry. The silver gelatin process used to create this image allowed for mass production of photographs, creating a new form of visual culture. This small print embodies the political and economic realities of its time. As photography became more accessible, it democratized portraiture, previously reserved for the elite captured in painting or sculpture. However, the cost of sitting for a portrait was still out of reach for many. This photograph reminds us of the intersection between technological progress, social class, and the desire for representation during the era of European monarchies.