Portret van Dieuwertje Uitentuis 1890 - 1918

This is a portrait of Dieuwertje Uitentuis, made with photographic materials by J. Siewers & Zoon. The photograph's sepia tones and surface texture speak to the period in which it was made, but it's the mass production of photographic portraits during this era that I find most compelling. Photography democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a broader segment of society. Consider the labor involved in the photographic process itself. From preparing the chemicals to posing the subject, printing, and mounting the final image, each step required skill and precision. This speaks to the increasing division of labor and the commodification of artistic skills within the burgeoning capitalist system. By examining the materials and processes behind this seemingly simple portrait, we gain insight into the social, economic, and cultural forces shaping its creation.