Portret van een man 1860 - 1900

This portrait of a man was made by Wellsted & Son, using photographic processes that were becoming increasingly popular in the late 19th century. Unlike painting or sculpture, photography offered a seemingly objective representation of reality. The material qualities of the photograph itself – the paper, the chemical emulsions, the precise tonal gradations – all contribute to its unique aesthetic. This particular photograph would have been created using a large format camera and glass plate negatives, requiring a long exposure time, hence the sitter's pose is rather stiff, since he had to remain still. Photographic studios like Wellsted & Son democratized portraiture. The rise of photography also had a profound impact on social and cultural life, enabling a wider range of people to participate in visual culture. This reminds us that all images, even those produced through mechanical means, are shaped by the materials and processes used to create them.