Portret van een man in maskerade-kostuum, zittend op een tafel bij een stoel waartegen een zwaard staat 1878 - 1900

This photograph was taken by Johannes Gerardus Kramer, sometime between 1845 and 1903. The collodion process used here, invented in 1851, allowed for the creation of detailed images on glass plates, which were then printed onto paper. The material reality of this photograph offers insight into the depicted subject’s social status. Photographic processes, such as the collodion process, were complex and required specialized knowledge, equipment, and materials. These were not accessible to everyone, reflecting the class distinctions of the time. The subject's elaborate costume suggests a playful engagement with history and identity. Yet, the very act of commissioning a photograph like this speaks to the subject's access to a relatively new technology. This access sets him apart from the working classes, who would likely not have had the means to participate in such cultural displays. Ultimately, understanding the materials and production processes used in creating this photograph helps us to see it not just as a portrait, but as a document of social relations and technological progress.