Portret van een man met bakkebaarden 1881 - 1904

Brainich & Leusink made this portrait of a man using albumen silver print, a process that was popular in the 19th century. The technique involves coating paper with albumen, from egg whites, and then sensitizing it with silver nitrate. This type of photography was a real shift from older forms of portraiture like painting. It allowed for mass production and distribution of images. This meant more people could have their portraits taken, not just the wealthy. The surface of the print is smooth, and the details are captured with remarkable clarity. The tonal range is subtle, giving the image a soft, almost dreamlike quality. The rise of photography was tied to industrialization and capitalism. It created new jobs, from photographers to lab technicians, and it changed how people saw themselves and the world around them. This portrait is more than just an image; it’s a product of its time, reflecting the social and economic changes that were shaping society. So next time you look at a photograph, think about the materials, the process, and the context that brought it into being.