[Konstantin Cretius] 1860s

Ernst Milster made this albumen silver print of Konstantin Cretius in Berlin at an unknown date. Photographic portraits were an increasingly common way for individuals, especially those of means, to represent themselves in the late 19th century. Looking at the image, we can see visual cues of class and status. Cretius wears a dark suit with a bow tie and crisp white shirt. His hair is neatly combed, and his mustache is perfectly groomed. The photograph itself, as a commodity, speaks to Cretius's financial ability to commission such a portrait. Photography studios like Milster's were businesses catering to a specific clientele. They were part of a growing industry that democratized portraiture, yet simultaneously reinforced social hierarchies through the visual language of dress and pose. Understanding this image requires us to consider the social function of photography at the time. Census records, business directories, and fashion plates can all help us to understand the world in which this portrait was made and what it meant to be portrayed in this way.