Portret van een jongeman 1860 - 1900

C. Martfeld made this photographic portrait of a young man using the wet collodion process, a popular technique in the 19th century. The image, barely larger than a credit card, is made on a glass plate coated with light-sensitive chemicals. Its sepia tones give it a timeless quality. This process would have required skill, precision, and a well-equipped darkroom, reflecting the rise of professional photography studios that catered to a growing middle class eager to capture their likenesses. The subject's formal attire and posed demeanor suggest a desire for upward mobility, aligning with the era's emphasis on social decorum and economic advancement. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider audience beyond the elite, and transforming image-making from a craft process to a commodity. Considering photography as a crafted object allows us to reflect on the social and economic forces that shaped its production and consumption, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.