Portret van een staande man, een zittende vrouw en een staand meisje 1865 - 1895

This is a photograph of a family – a standing man, seated woman, and standing girl – made by Thomas Martin Staas sometime in the late nineteenth century. While it may seem like a simple portrait, the photographic process holds important clues about the family's social context and the changing nature of labor. Photography in this era wasn't like snapping a quick picture on your phone. It involved a complex series of chemical processes, from preparing the light-sensitive materials to developing the final image. The photographer had to be a skilled technician, and the entire process was time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, commissioning a portrait like this was a significant investment. The family likely belonged to the middle or upper class, able to afford the time and money required for a professional photograph. The carefully posed composition and formal attire further suggest a desire to present a respectable image to the world. So, when you look at this photograph, consider it not just as a record of three individuals, but as a testament to their social standing and the labor that went into creating this enduring image.