Portret van Auguste De Groux 1865

This is a photographic portrait of Auguste De Groux, made by Stalins & Janssens. The carte-de-visite format, popular in the mid-19th century, made photographic portraiture accessible to a wider public, beyond the wealthy elite who could afford painted portraits. As photography became more widespread, the conventions of painted portraiture shaped its visual language. Here, we see De Groux posed formally, his gaze directed at the viewer, similar to painted portraits of the time. The rise of photography coincided with a period of significant social and political change. Examining archives like letters, newspapers, and studio records helps us to understand how photography was used to construct and negotiate identities, reflect social values, and challenge existing hierarchies. Exploring the studio practices of Stalins & Janssens may give insight into the democratization of portraiture. This allows us to comprehend the image as something contingent on social and institutional contexts.