Portret van Adolf von Becker before 1883

This is a portrait of Adolf von Becker, and while the artist is unknown, it's clear they were skilled in the photographic arts. This image is a silver gelatin print, a process that dominated portraiture at the time, because it allowed for mass reproduction. The image has a formal and dignified style, which speaks to the social context of the time. The way in which it was made – the chemical coating on paper, the careful arrangement of light, the dark room production – all of it speaks to the increasing industrialization of the image. It would have been a laborious task with many steps to take to produce this image. This craft differs from other traditions as the final product looks highly reproducible and not something that is 'one of a kind.' Considering the materials and processes, and the social context in which it was made, helps us understand the cultural significance of this photograph.