Hospicio da Princeza Dona Maria Amelia, Madère, gezicht op de tuinen 1843 - 1898

This photograph of the Hospicio da Princeza Dona Maria Amelia, was taken by João Francisco Camacho, probably not long after the hospital’s completion in 1861. Photography in this period was a painstaking endeavor, often involving long exposure times and the careful manipulation of chemicals. In the albumen print process used here, a paper base is coated with a layer of egg white and silver nitrate, rendering it light-sensitive. The resulting sepia tones give the image a warm, ethereal quality, but also speak to the labor-intensive nature of early photography. The choice of this medium emphasizes the significance of the building itself. Its solid construction and careful design speak to the values of progress and philanthropy, while the photographic process reflects the era's technological advancements and aspirations. By considering the materials and processes involved, we gain a richer understanding of both the subject and the social context in which it was created.