Twintig portretten van acteurs en actrices before 1893

This is a photographic print from an unknown date by Nadar, showing twenty portraits of actors and actresses. Each image is likely the result of a wet collodion process, a technique that demanded considerable skill. The photographer would have needed to prepare a glass plate, coat it with light-sensitive chemicals, expose the image, and then develop it, all before the plate dried. This demanding workflow highlights the labor involved in early photography, long before it became easily accessible. Consider the social context of these portraits. In the 19th century, actors and actresses were emerging as public figures, and photography played a crucial role in shaping their image and status. The reproducible nature of photography also allowed for the distribution of these images, contributing to the rise of celebrity culture and the commodification of fame. Looking at this print, we are reminded that all art is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Recognizing the work and context embedded in this artwork challenges conventional notions of art history.