Portret van F.H.P. Ligtenberg in een lange jas met opengeslagen boek in de hand 1864 - 1886

This is a portrait of F.H.P. Ligtenberg in a long coat with an open book in his hand, by Wilhelm Frederick Antonius Delboy. It's a photograph, a relatively new medium in the late nineteenth century. Photography was revolutionary because it democratized image-making. Unlike painting, which required years of training, photography allowed for relatively quick and reproducible images. The rise of photography studios meant that more people could afford portraits. The process involves careful control of light and chemistry. The photograph is not just a record of the sitter, but also evidence of the photographer's skill in manipulating the materials. The sepia tones give the image a sense of timelessness, even as the clothing and pose firmly root it in its era. The availability of photographic portraits changed our understanding of representation, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and commercial craft.