Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1860 - 1875

This portrait of an unknown woman was made by P. Hansellis using photographic processes. This early form of photography, now historical, involved a slow, meticulous process, requiring technical skill and an understanding of chemistry and optics. Consider the material substrate. It is a thin card, designed for distribution, and for being slotted into a family album. Unlike a painted portrait – which would have been the preserve of the wealthy – photography allowed for a broader range of social classes to access the format. The dress is simple and functional, with a high neck and long sleeves that reflect the period’s emphasis on modesty. The plainness may reflect personal preference or the sitter’s social standing. The photographic process democratized portraiture, making it accessible to a wider population. While portraits had traditionally been a status symbol for the wealthy, photography opened up new possibilities for self-representation across different social strata. It is the very nature of photographic printing and distribution, that makes this possible.