Portret van een jongen en meisje met speelgoed 1880 - 1910

This is a portrait of a boy and girl with toys, made by Adolf Neumann using photographic processes. Photography emerged in the nineteenth century and changed the way we make and see art, influencing painting, sculpture and design. This photograph is a reminder of the medium’s ability to freeze a moment in time, capturing not just the children's likenesses, but also their social context and the rituals of childhood at the turn of the century. The materials used—glass plates, light-sensitive chemicals, and paper—required a carefully calibrated industrial system. The photographer relies on both technical skill and artistic vision to harness the power of photography. By focusing on materials, processes, and social context, we gain a richer understanding of the role of photography in shaping modern visual culture and class. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, raising important questions about value, labor, and representation in the industrial age.