Portret van een man met snor in uniform 1880

This photographic portrait of a moustachioed man in uniform was made by J. Rothermel, sometime after 1836. Photography emerged in the 19th century as a new industrial process. Its chemical basis allowed for the relatively quick production of images, quite unlike painting, which required a significant investment of labor, and so was more associated with the upper classes. Here, we see the subject in his military attire, a uniform being a form of industrial production in its own right, using repetitive sewing techniques and standardized design. The photograph’s sepia tones give it a classical feel, but it is important to remember that this image would have been relatively accessible, speaking to the rise of a middle class with the financial capital to commission such work. By focusing on the photograph's materiality and historical context, we can understand the cultural forces at play in its creation and reception, moving beyond traditional notions of fine art.