Altaarretabel in de Grote Kerk te Vianen 1897

This is a photograph of the Altaarretabel in the Grote Kerk te Vianen, taken by an anonymous photographer. Likely printed in an Albumen process, this image shows the details of the altar, with its architectural framework and sculptural decoration. This photographic printing process typically involves coating paper with a layer of albumen (egg white) and then sensitizing it with silver nitrate. When exposed to light through a negative, the silver salts darken, creating a detailed photographic image. The use of the Albumen process, popular in the 19th century, highlights the convergence of scientific techniques and artistic expression. The tonal range and clarity achievable with Albumen prints allowed for the meticulous documentation of architectural details and artistic craftsmanship. The process would have required the labour-intensive processes of preparing the paper, sensitizing it, exposing the negative, and carefully developing and toning the print. Understanding the materials and making of this photograph allows us to see the ways in which photography was tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption.