Portret van een vrouw 1864 - 1890

This portrait of a woman was made by Ed. Radermacher sometime in the late 19th century, using photographic techniques. Back then, photography was as much a craft as an industry, demanding knowledge of chemistry and optics. Light-sensitive emulsions had to be carefully prepared, and the developing process was full of variables. Think about the labor involved – not just the photographer’s expertise, but also the production of the glass plates and the printing paper. And of course, the sitter had to hold still for the exposure. The sepia tone of the print speaks to the specific materials used, and the way they age. But it also tells us something about the social context. This wasn’t a quick snapshot; it was a deliberate act of portraiture. So, next time you look at an old photograph, consider not just the image, but the intricate dance of materials, processes, and social rituals that brought it into being.