Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1875 - 1886

This portrait of an unknown woman was produced by the photography studio of Dahllöf & Co. in Stockholm, using a process that was both technical and commercial. Photography in this era was undergoing rapid industrialization, transforming from a niche practice to a widespread service. The creation of these portraits involved skilled labor, from setting up the shot to developing the image. However, it was also a business, reflected in the studio's branding at the bottom of the card. The very act of commissioning a portrait became more accessible, yet it also reinforced social hierarchies, determining who could afford to have their image captured and preserved. The sepia tone, the paper card, and the woman's formal attire all speak to a specific time and place. Consider the labor involved in producing the chemicals, manufacturing the equipment, and the work of the studio staff. This was all part of a burgeoning industry that profoundly changed how people saw themselves and the world around them.