Portret van een man met baard 1860 - 1900

This is a photographic portrait of a bearded man by Carl Lang. The image itself is a product of chemical processes, carefully calibrated to capture the man's likeness on a treated surface. But let's also consider the album page to which it is affixed. The print is mounted within a decorative frame, likely mass-produced by a printing firm. These ready-made, blank pages would have been sold to consumers, encouraging them to organize their images according to a Victorian ideal of order, memory, and social connection. The design of the frame, with its repeated geometric motifs, gives a sense of bourgeois respectability. Notice, too, that space has been left below the photograph, where an inscription could be added. This highlights the crucial role of handwriting, personalizing a mass-produced object. It reminds us that even in the age of mechanical reproduction, handcraft and individual expression maintained their value. Considering these elements gives us insight into the culture of image-making, reminding us that even photography is a craft.