Portret van bisschop Wilmer van Haarlem c. 1860 - 1877

This small photograph portrays Bishop Wilmer of Haarlem, though we don’t know who made it. The image is a product of photographic chemistry, made by coating a surface with light-sensitive materials and then exposing it to create an image. The resulting print is small, designed for circulation and personal devotion. Think of it like a holy trading card. The sepia tones are inherent to the process, but also give the image a sense of the past. What interests me most are the objects surrounding the bishop: the crisp mitre on the table, the ornate chair, the lace alb he’s wearing. All of these are textiles, evidence of countless hours of labor, particularly that lace. This photograph isn’t just a portrait; it’s an index of the vast social network required to produce and maintain status. It’s a reminder that even in the most devout settings, material culture tells a story of work, class, and consumption.