Portret van een zittende man met bakkebaarden 1867 - 1900

This portrait of a seated man with sideburns, was made by Hulk en Vlaanderen, and is a product of early photographic processes. It is most likely an albumen print. This labor-intensive technique involved coating paper with a layer of albumen, derived from egg whites, before sensitizing it with silver nitrate. The resulting print, characterized by its fine detail and sepia tone, was then mounted on card stock. The material qualities of this early photograph - the smooth surface of the albumen, the precise registration of light and shadow, and the delicate mounting - all speak to the craftsmanship involved in its creation. It is an intimate portrayal of a man and a potent reminder of how photography democratized portraiture and played a role in shaping visual culture. Appreciating the intricate processes and material qualities invites us to reconsider photography as a form of craft, imbued with social and cultural significance.