Willem Witsen aan de pers c. 1880 - 1910

George Hendrik Breitner made this photograph, "Willem Witsen aan de pers," using gelatin silver print. The image shows Willem Witsen at a printing press, an instrument that mechanically applies pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium, like cloth or paper, thereby transferring the ink. Breitner shows us not just the man, but also the means by which images and texts were then multiplied and disseminated. The focus is on Witsen's labor, the physical engagement with the machinery that makes art and information accessible. The gelatin silver print process itself speaks to the changing nature of art and production. It's a chemical process, a departure from the direct touch of the artist's hand in painting or sculpture, yet it requires careful manipulation and expertise. Breitner blurs the lines between documentation and artistry, showing us the social context of artmaking and the labor involved in creative production. By emphasizing these elements, Breitner challenges us to think about the relationship between art, labor, and the industrial processes that shape our world, pushing us to consider the social and economic dimensions embedded within the artwork itself.