Portret van Willem van Braam 1885 - 1910

This photograph of Willem van Braam was captured by Carel Eduard Westerborg in the late 19th century. It’s a simple object, made with light-sensitive chemicals and paper. But consider the social context: this was the era when photography democratized portraiture. Before, only the wealthy could commission a painted likeness. The texture of the paper gives the print a slightly soft focus, which enhances the sitter’s features. Westerborg’s skill in the darkroom, manipulating light and shadow, further elevates the image. Notice the man's velvet jacket and other accouterments of wealth. Photography studios like Westerborg’s offered a service, a manufactured image of oneself for personal or public consumption. In that sense, this portrait isn’t just a record, but an early form of social media, a carefully constructed persona. It reminds us that all images, even seemingly straightforward ones, are shaped by the materials, techniques, and social forces of their time.