Portret van een zittende vrouw in Roemeense klederdracht 1870 - 1890

Carol Popp de Szathmari created this portrait of a seated woman in Romanian clothing using photography, a relatively new medium in the mid-19th century. Photography, unlike painting or sculpture, relies on a mechanical and chemical process. The photographer captures an image using a camera and then develops it using chemical solutions. The resulting photograph is a direct representation of reality, but it is also a product of the photographer's choices of composition, lighting, and pose. This photograph captures the woman in exquisite detail, showcasing the intricate embroidery and embellishments of her traditional Romanian dress. The textures of the fabric and the way the light falls on the woman's face are all rendered with remarkable clarity. Szathmari was among the first to document the people and landscapes of Romania through photography, and his work provides valuable insights into the social and cultural life of the time. His photographs, like this one, demonstrate how new technologies can intersect with traditional forms of craft and cultural identity.