Fotoreproductie van een getekend portret van Abdülaziz, 32e sultan van het Ottomaanse Rijk 1850 - 1900

This is a photographic reproduction of a drawing of Abdülaziz, the 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, created by Émilien Desmaisons sometime in the 19th century. The image itself is small, and the reproductive process is critical to its function. Photography democratized portraiture, allowing for mass dissemination. It transformed the way people saw themselves, and each other. The Sultan, in his elaborate formal wear, is presented as a figure of power, but the photographic process also makes him accessible. Consider how this image contrasts with traditional painted portraits of rulers. Photography collapses time and space, creating a sense of immediacy. It’s a different kind of aura than that surrounding a unique, hand-painted image. In appreciating this object, it's important to remember that the means of production are just as significant as the subject. It challenges the distinction between fine art and craft, reminding us that all images are made with a purpose and within a specific context.