Portret van een staand meisje in witte jurk en een hond 1884 - 1887

This photograph of a girl with her dog was made by the studio Charls & Van Es, using a process that was relatively new at the time: chemical photography. The final print is the result of a complex operation, involving the preparation of light-sensitive surfaces, careful arrangement of the sitters in front of the camera, and meticulous work in the darkroom. Each of these steps demanded expertise. The success of studios like Charls & Van Es rested on this skilled labor. Consider how the image presents its subject, and what it communicates about social status and the importance of family. The girl’s crisp white dress, neatly styled hair, and well-groomed dog all speak to a certain level of comfort and care. Remember that even apparently simple images like this one involved considerable investments of time and labor, both in front of and behind the camera.