Portret van een onbekende vrouw met hoed before 1901

This is Léon Sneyers' photograph *Portret van een onbekende vrouw met hoed*, of *Portrait of an Unknown Woman with Hat*. Sneyers was fascinated by the effects he could achieve in the darkroom. By manipulating light and shadow, he made photographs that had the qualities of paintings or drawings. Photography in the late 19th and early 20th century was an alchemic blend of chemistry, optics and handwork. This photographic image is mounted on a page in a book, and it's important to remember that printing and bookbinding were also highly skilled trades at this time. Sneyers' portrait may depict a woman of the bourgeoisie, but consider the many hands that contributed to the making of this image, from factory workers to darkroom technicians. By considering materials, making, and context, we can see that even a photograph involves a network of relationships, challenging any divide between fine art and craft.