Portret van een vrouw met gevlochten haren en halsketting Possibly 1864 - 1884

This portrait of an unknown woman with braided hair and necklace was created by Leonard Stollenwerk using photography sometime in the late 19th century. The sepia tone, a result of the photographic process used, gives the image a sense of nostalgia and timelessness. Photography in the 19th century was a meticulous and painstaking process. It demanded considerable expertise in preparing the photographic plates, precisely timing the exposure, and developing the image in a darkroom. It’s worth considering the social implications of photography during this period. As photography became more accessible, it offered new opportunities for self-representation and documentation. The rise of studio photography allowed individuals from various social classes to commission portraits, democratizing the art of portraiture. This photograph invites us to consider not only the image itself, but also the labor, materials, and social context that shaped its creation.