Standbeeld van Laurens Janszoon Coster op de Grote Markt in Haarlem 1859 - 1865

This albumen print shows the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster on the Grote Markt in Haarlem. It was made by Pieter Oosterhuis, who understood the power of photography to document public monuments. The print itself is made through a meticulous chemical process. Albumen, derived from egg whites, coats the paper, providing a receptive surface for capturing the fine details of the statue and its surroundings. Look closely, and you'll see the way the light plays across the bronze of the sculpture, the rough texture of the stone base, and the crisp architectural details of the buildings in the background. But this image isn't just a neutral record; it's a carefully constructed representation of civic pride. The choice of viewpoint, the clarity of the printing, and the very act of creating a permanent image—all these contribute to Coster's heroic status. The production of this photograph, and others like it, helped to cement national identity. It reminds us that the technology of image-making is always entwined with social and cultural values.