Portret van een man met snor en baard 1865 - 1885

Ernst Pflanz, working in Marienbad, made this photographic portrait of a man with a moustache and beard. In photography, the material itself is light, captured on a chemically treated surface. Here, the tonal range is subdued, befitting the formality of the sitter's pose and attire. The carte-de-visite format, popular in the mid-19th century, speaks to the industrialization of image-making. These small, easily reproduced photographs democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider segment of society. Pflanz's expertise lies in controlling the photographic process, from setting up the shot to developing the print. The smooth surface and sharp details are a testament to his technical skill, while the subject's composed expression suggests the collaborative nature of the portrait. It's worth remembering that even with the advent of photography, a great deal of labor still went into the production of an image. Considering the materials, processes, and social context of this photograph allows us to appreciate its cultural significance, highlighting the intersection of craft, technology, and social change in the history of visual representation.