Gezicht op de Protestantse Ziekenverpleging aan de Prinsengracht in Amsterdam 1868 - 1875

This photograph of the Protestant Hospital on Prinsengracht in Amsterdam was captured by Andreas Theodorus Rooswinkel. It's a silver gelatin print – a process that dominated photography for over a century due to its relatively simple production and sharp image quality. The surface feel would have been smooth, with a range of grey tones defining the architectural details. Look closely, and you can see the texture of the brickwork and the stark, leafless trees. The photographic process itself, while seemingly straightforward, relied on a complex industrial network. From the mining of silver to the manufacturing of chemicals and paper, each element represents a step in a globalized system of labor and consumption. Photography democratized image-making, but also deepened our dependence on industrial production. So, next time you look at a photograph, remember that its apparent simplicity belies a whole world of materials, processes, and social relations.