Portret van een man, staand bij een stoel 1857 - 1864

This photographic portrait of a man, standing by a chair, was made by Wegner & Mottu. The photographic process itself involves a complex alchemy of materials, from silver halides to developing agents, each playing a crucial role in capturing and fixing the image. What I find particularly interesting here is how the relatively new technology of photography intersected with older traditions of portraiture. Prior to photography, having your portrait painted was a luxury afforded only to the wealthy. But, with the advent of photography, portraiture became more accessible to a wider segment of society. Yet, even in this seemingly democratic medium, class distinctions persist. The man's formal attire, his confident stance, and the carefully arranged chair all speak to a certain level of social status. This photograph reminds us that even the most modern technologies are always embedded in social and cultural contexts, and that materials and making processes are never neutral, but always carry meaning and value.