Groep mensen in klederdracht, staande voor een muur van een gebouw 1920 - 1940

This photograph, by G. Hidderley, shows a group of people in traditional dress, posed in front of a brick wall. It is an albumen print, a common photographic process of the 19th century that used egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to paper. The choice of this method is significant. The albumen print, while capable of producing detailed images, was also relatively inexpensive, making photography accessible to a broader segment of the population. Its sepia tone is a direct result of the materials and processes used, which include coating paper with a mixture of egg whites and salts, exposing it to light through a negative, and then toning it with gold chloride. Notably, the clothing worn by the people in the photograph is itself a product of skilled labor and traditional craft. The intricate details of the dresses, aprons, and bonnets suggest hours of work and specialized knowledge of textiles and sewing. In this way, the photograph becomes more than just a record of a moment in time. It is also a testament to the labor and skill involved in both its creation and the creation of the world it depicts, a reminder of the value of craft in an age increasingly dominated by mass production.