Herrnhutter Begrafenis II 1900 - 1905

Eugen Klein made this photograph of a Herrnhutter funeral. The Herrnhutters were a Protestant religious society originating in the 18th century, who followed a very strict dress code; in this image, we see this in effect. Klein has used a photographic process here to capture the event, giving us an opportunity to consider not just the image but the medium itself. Photography, unlike painting, has a close relationship to mechanical reproduction. It's an interesting contrast - an image that captures the religious group's adherence to simplicity is itself produced through a highly technical process. It invites questions about how materials and processes interact with themes of identity, community, and belief. Ultimately, understanding the materiality of photography, and how it was used in Klein’s time, allows us to see the image as more than just a straightforward document. It becomes a richer artifact, reflecting the social and cultural context of its making.